UNDER THE SPOTLIGHT
Running the marathon of a dental career
On 10th October every year, World Mental Health Day raises awareness and mobilises efforts to support mental health around the world. Medical Protection Society (MPS) chair of council, Dr Graham Stokes , shares about the initiatives and research from the organisation to tackle stress and anxiety in the dental profession. By James Yau
“Amid the challenges that we face in the modern world, we should remember that working in healthcare is a privilege. Embracing this privilege leads to deep sense of fulfilment and we should not lose sight of this.” “
More than just a protection organisation, the Medical Protection Society (MPS) comprises a team of healthcare and legal professionals who protect and support the professional interests of almost 300,000 members around the world. In addition to protection for matters related to legal and ethical problems, its support encompasses the mental wellbeing of its members through confidential in-house counselling services provided in partnership with external mental health providers, as well as events and resources on mental health and wellbeing by promoting resilience, stress management, and coping strategies. Under the ambit of the MPS Foundation, MPS further invests in research, analysis, education and training which enables members to provide better care for their patients and improve their own wellbeing. Now in its third year, the MPS Foundation has already supported over 30 projects from across the world. “We believe that mental health education should be an integral part of dental training and professional development programmes. This includes educating dentists about the signs of burnout, anxiety, depression, and other mental health challenges specific to the profession,” said Dr Graham Stokes, MPS chair of council. As a qualified dentist since 1984, Dr Stokes is no stranger to these challenges having assumed the role from Dr Ian Eardley, who stepped down after five years as chair as he steered the organisation through the
Covid-19 pandemic when mental health was under the spotlight for many professionals, ensuring that MPS met the evolving needs of members during the challenge period. “I believe we can play a critical role in safeguarding the mental health of dentists, leading to better outcomes for both professionals and patients. I believe our role is first to promote awareness and reduce stigma,” Dr Stokes said. He added: “By fostering an environment where mental health issues can be openly discussed, we can reduce the stigma associated with seeking help. This can be done through awareness campaigns, for example.”
MPS chair of council, Dr Graham Stokes
20 DENTAL ASIA SEPTEMBER / OCTOBER 2024
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