Investigation To Examine Suicides Among Young Iranian Doctors

Parastoo Bakhshi, a 34-year-old specialist in cardiovascular diseases, took her own life at her residence in Noorabad Delfan Hospital in Lorestan Province, the latest in a string of mystery deaths.

The confirmation came from an official statement by the Medical Council Of Iran, citing "excessive pressure in the workplace" as a contributing factor.

Bakhshi's body was discovered by staff members in the hospital's dormitory last Saturday night, sparking shock and grief among her colleagues and the medical community at large.

Ali Salahshour, head of the Public Relations and International Affairs Department of the Medical Council of Iran, took to Instagram to highlight the additional burden Bakhshi faced after the loss of both her parents in the past four years.

Farhad Teimourzadeh, a physician and university professor, also echoed the sentiments on social media, condemning those in positions of power who exert pressure on medical residents.

Suicide among medical students, particularly in Iran, has become a growing concern, with several reports documenting the issue in recent years. According to a study conducted by a psychiatric association last year, the suicide rate within the medical community has seen a significant rise, ranging from 3.1 to 5 times higher than previous years.

In February, the head of the Iranian Psychiatric Scientific Association disclosed the news of 16 medical residents who had taken their own lives in the past year alone.