MENTAL HEALTH IN HEALTH SCIENCE STUDENTS: PREVALENCE OF DEPRESSION, ANXIETY, AND IMPLICATIONS FOR PROFESSIONAL TRAINING

Abstract

The mental health of health science students has become a relevant topic in contemporary scientific literature due to the high prevalence of mental disorders in this population group. The objective of this study is to analyze the prevalence of depressive symptoms, anxiety, and psychological distress among health science students, as well as to discuss associated factors and implications for professional training. This is a narrative literature review based on studies published in national and international scientific journals. Evidence indicates that health science students present high levels of psychological symptoms, frequently associated with intense academic workload, performance pressures, and early exposure to human suffering during clinical training. Research indicates that between 15% and 25% of university students present some psychiatric disorder, with depression and anxiety being the most frequent (Souza et al., 2021). International meta-analyses indicate an approximate prevalence of 28% of depression among medical students (Pacheco et al., 2017). In the Brazilian context, studies also indicate significant rates of psychological distress in this population. It is concluded that the mental health of students in the health field is a priority issue for higher education institutions and public policies promoting mental health, making the implementation of institutional strategies for prevention and psychological care necessary.