EC Psychology And Psychiatry

Research Article Volume 14 Issue 3 - 2025

Understanding Mental Health Distress among Medical Students: Prevalence and Contributing Factors at Al Rayan Colleges, Saudi Arabia

Mohammed Salah Alfahal1, Mohammed Elmuttalut2,3*, Magda A Eldomiaty4, Amina J Alshinqiti5 and Jori O Kareembakhsh4

1Department of Psychiatry, Al-Rayan National College of Medicine, Al Rayan National Colleges, Al-Madinah Al-Munawwara, Saudi Arabia
2Department of Community Medicine, Al-Rayan National College of Medicine, Al Rayan National Colleges, Al-Madinah Al-Munawwara, Saudi Arabia
3Department of Community Medicine, College of Medicine, University of Sinnar, Sudan
4Anatomy, Embryology, and Histology, Al-Rayan National College of Medicine, Al Rayan National Colleges, Al-Madinah Al-Munawwara, Saudi Arabia
5Medical Students, Al-Rayan National College of Medicine, Al Rayan National Colleges, Al-Madinah Al-Munawwara, Saudi Arabia
*Corresponding Author: Mohammed Elmuttalut, Department of Community Medicine, Al-Rayan National College of Medicine, Al Rayan National Colleges, Al-Madinah Al-Munawwara, Saudi Arabia.
Received: February 04, 2025; Published: March 07, 2025



Background: Medical students face substantial academic pressure and clinical demands, contributing to higher rates of mental health distress compared to their peers in other fields. Despite growing concern, little research has focused on the mental well-being of medical students in Saudi Arabia.

Objective: This study aims to assess the prevalence of mental health distress and identify key demographic, academic, and socio-cultural factors associated with psychological distress among medical students at Alrayan Colleges, Saudi Arabia.

Methods: A cross-sectional survey of 214 medical students was conducted using the General Health Questionnaire-12 (GHQ-12) to measure mental distress across three domains: Anxiety and Depression, Social Dysfunction, and Loss of Confidence. Additional demographic and academic data were collected via a structured questionnaire. Data was analyzed using descriptive statistics and regression models.

Results: A total of 62.1% of students were classified as high-risk, and 5.6% as experiencing severe distress. Female students had significantly higher distress levels than males (P < 0.05). Academic workload was a significant predictor, with those experiencing high workloads reporting higher GHQ-12 scores (P < 0.05). Faculty support acted as a protective factor, while students avoiding mental health support due to stigma reported significantly higher distress (P < 0.001).

Conclusion: The high prevalence of mental distress, particularly among female students and those facing heavy academic workloads, underscored the need for targeted mental health interventions. Addressing the stigma surrounding mental health support and strengthening faculty involvement could improve student well-being. This study provided important insights into the mental health challenges faced by medical students in Saudi Arabia and calls for institutional reforms to support mental health.

 Keywords: Mental Health; Medical Students; Academic Pressure; Faculty Support; Gender Differences; Stigma; Saudi Arabia

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Mohammed Elmuttalut., et al. “Understanding Mental Health Distress among Medical Students: Prevalence and Contributing Factors at Al Rayan Colleges, Saudi Arabia” ”. EC Psychology and Psychiatry  14.3 (2025): 01-10.

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