Dilini Vethanayagam, '92 MD, associate professor of medicine
The idea was born in 2017, when the MD Class of 1992 were preparing to celebrate the 25th anniversary of their graduation. A very close group, the graduates felt strongly the absence of those who wouldn't be at the reunion, especially a classmate who took his own life shortly after they graduated.
To honour his memory, Dilini Vethanayagam, '92 MD, associate professor in the Department of Medicine, spearheaded a project to collect donations from her graduating class and create an award for new U of A medical students who become involved with mental-health initiatives.
The class raised enough funds to set up an endowment for an award-to be presented for the first time during the 2018-2019 academic year-for eligible first- and second-year medical students.
The new award is a step in the right direction for this pressing area of patient care, says Alberto Choy, '92 MD, U of A Department of Psychiatry. "There are wonderful mental health services available, but people currently look for them only when they are struggling a lot. People now think of taking time out of their day to exercise; it is important that people remember that being well is working out physically a few times a week, and also taking care of each other mentally a few times a week or every day."
Equally important, adds Jonathan Choy, '92 MD, clinical professor of cardiology and associate dean of clinical faculty, is breaking the stigma that surrounds mental health issues for health professionals and learners.
"If you told people you have cancer or heart disease and you're going to get treatment, people wouldn't think about it twice," said (Jonathan) Choy. "But if you're a physician and said, 'I'm suffering from depression, anxiety or paranoia' people would question if you can do your job. This view on mental health has to change."