COVID-19: Using Social Media to Promote Mental Health in Medical School During the Pandemic

Han G Ngo,Jennifer L Nguyen,Brianna L Gibney,Paul Patel

doi:10.5195/ijms.2020.684

Han G Ngo, Jennifer L Nguyen + Show 2 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.5195/ijms.2020.684

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Abstract

The Asian Pacific American Medical Student Association (APAMSA) is a national student organization that advocates for the health of the Asian American Pacific Islanders. In May 2020, our APAMSA chapter at Oakland University William Beaumont (OUWB) School of Medicine located in Michigan, USA hosted a virtual mental health campaign titled, “Socially Distant but Emotionally Connected: 6ft Closer During Quarantine.” We reached out to medical students and faculty within the OUWB community to share their experiences during the initial phases of quarantine. Our goal was to create a space for everyone at OUWB to engage in meaningful conversations about mental health and support each other during the pandemic. The responses we received varied across numerous topics, including xenophobia, loneliness, and lack of motivation. Participants also followed up with words of encouragement for their peers and guidance on how to cope with social isolation. Our virtual campaign was very feasible and successful under the constraints of social distancing, and we urge other medical schools to implement their own mental health awareness initiatives to destigmatize the topic in their communities. General steps on how to start your own campaign include: collaborating with interest groups, deciding on social media platforms, and sharing with your community. 

Highlights

In May 2020, our Asian Pacific American Medical Student Association (APAMSA) chapter at Oakland University William Beaumont (OUWB) School of Medicine hosted a mental health campaign titled, “Socially Distant but Emotionally Connected: 6ft Closer During Quarantine” (Figure 1)
From the mental health campaign, we soon discovered medical students and faculty members had a wide variety of thoughts and tips to share with their fellow peers
One of the faculty members provided a visceral account of his experience during the pandemic saying, “I would describe myself as often agitated, worried, depressed...numerous adjectives melded into a single troubled state.”

Summary

Introduction

In May 2020, our APAMSA chapter at Oakland University William Beaumont (OUWB) School of Medicine hosted a mental health campaign titled, “Socially Distant but Emotionally Connected: 6ft Closer During Quarantine” (Figure 1). From the mental health campaign, we soon discovered medical students and faculty members had a wide variety of thoughts and tips to share with their fellow peers. Medical students had gotten accustomed to being around each other at school that we were flustered when isolation initially began.

Results

Conclusion