Ahmad A Mirza1, Mukhtiar Baig2, Ghada M Beyari3, Mohammed Aiman Halawani3, Abdulrahim A Mirza4. 1. Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Faculty of Medicine in Rabigh, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. 2. Department of Clinical Biochemistry/Medical Education, Faculty of Medicine in Rabigh, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. 3. Faculty of Medicine, Umm Al-Qura University, Makkah, Saudi Arabia. 4. Department of Surgery - Division of Urology, Ministry of National Guard - Health Affairs, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
Thank you for the opportunity to respond to the letter by Anushka Sharma1 comments. It is apparent that we did not discuss the barriers in place that facilitate increases in rates of mental ill-health amongst healthcare professionals in our brief review. However, we pointed out to some factors that potentially increase the risk of depression and anxiety among medical students. We appreciate the author’s point of view that stigmatization of mental illness is a widespread societal issue which affects the medical profession and its workers. In our overview, we took account of the importance of mental illness and its associated risk facotors, and we emphasized how important it is to synthesize a higher level of evidance in this undeniable topic.