Dahanayake, D.Rajapakse, H.Wickramasinghe, A.Chandradasa, M.Rohanachandra, Y.Perera, S.Nillo, A.M.Molodynski, A.2021-06-252021-06-252022The International Journal of Social Psychiatry.2022; 68(6):1263-1269 [Epub 2021 Jun 18]0020-7640 (Print)1741-2854 (Electronic)0020-7640 (Linking)http://repository.kln.ac.lk/handle/123456789/22830Indexed in MEDLINEBACKGROUND: Studies from around the world have shown higher rates of anxiety, depression, alcohol and other drug use, and burnout in medical students. AIMS: The aim of this study was to identify the socio-demographic factors and severity of difficulties Sri Lankan medical students face regarding psychological wellbeing and burnout. METHOD: This one-off survey used a cross-sectional design, assessing substance use, psychological wellbeing, and burnout using the CAGE, GHQ-12, and OLBI. The survey was open to all medical students in six universities in Sri Lanka. Chi-square analysis was used to assess the statistical significance related to categorical dependent variables and one-way ANOVA for continuous dependent variables. RESULTS: A higher prevalence of diagnosed mental health conditions was found following admission to the medical course in comparison prior to admission. Sixty-two percent of students had a score of more than 2 on the GHQ-12 indicating caseness. The OLBI identified exhaustion in 79% of students. The CAGE questionnaire was positive in 4.8% of students. CONCLUSIONS: Only a small proportion of students are recognizing their mental health difficulties and seeking help. Further understanding is required as to why this is, as well as re-evaluation of the demands of the curriculum. Effective ways of regularly identifying and providing practical and evidence-based support for mental health problems in medical and other undergraduates need to be identified and introduced. KEYWORDS: Sri Lanka; Wellbeing; burnout; medical students.en-USPsychological wellbeingmental healthArticle