Med Student Finds Strength In Not Hiding Her Mental Illness

Medical schools often struggle with finding the balance when it comes to mental health. One woman, when applying, was advised not to show "any kind of weakness," but instead she chose to be upfront about her struggles.

NPR: A Med Student Decides To Be Upfront About Her Mental Issues

At first Giselle wasn't sure what to put on her medical school application. She wanted to be a doctor, but she also wanted people to know about her own health: years of depression, anxiety and a suicide attempt. (We're using only her first name in this story, out of concern for her future career.) "A lot of people were like, you don't say that at all," she said. "Do not mention that you have any kind of weakness." Giselle remembers having her first intense suicidal thoughts when she was 10 years old. (Aronczyk, 6/1)

Elsewhere, in rural California, insurance denials and scarcity of doctors complicate access to proper mental health care —

KQED: Depressed Teen’s Struggle To Find Mental Health Care In Rural California

There’s a hot pink suitcase on the floor of Shariah Vroman-Nagy’s bedroom. The 18-year-old is packing for a trip to Disneyland, one of several she takes with her family every year. (Dembosky, 6/1)

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