W e applaud the Mental Health Awareness Task Force (MHATF) survey, a project of the Council of Osteopathic Student Government Presidents (COSGP), the largest survey of its kind ever conducted.
For the first time, a study is focusing specifically on the mental wellness of DO students. The results were presented at AACOM's 2016 Annual Conference, where thought leaders from across the osteopathic medical education (OME) spectrum were brought together to discuss topics, including mental health among medical students.
With more than 10,000 responses collected from students at colleges of osteopathic medicine (COMs) nationwide, the survey is a groundbreaking step toward addressing mental wellness among future DOs.
AACOM remains committed to listening to the students, who led this milestone effort, and we encourage active student involvement to improve the public health of future physicians. We've seen first-hand how mental health issues powerfully impact medical students and the patients they serve.
We look forward to collaborating with others in the OME community to reduce the stigma associated with mental health challenges, support future research every step of the way, provide data that COMs can use to help students, and develop resources at the campus level that empower the DO student body.
Stephen C. Shannon, DO, MPH
President and CEO, AACOM