Abstract: Objective To explore the factors influencing mental health and suicidal behaviors of medical students and provide a scientific basis for improving their mental health and reducing their suicidal behaviors. Methods We conducted a questionnaire- based survey among 11 270 medical students in the first and second years at 3 universities in the southern, northern and central regions of a province in China, and 10 340 valid responses were retrieved. Multiple logistic regression was used to analyze the factors affecting anxiety, depression and suicidal behaviors, particularly the impact of family environment on the mental health status of the medical students. Results Medical students of the female gender, in their second year in college, with dissatisfaction with their major, coming from poor families, families experiencing domestic violence or dysfunctional family were more likely to develop depression and anxiety; medical students who experienced violence by their parents or guardians and had childhood experience of separation from parents were more likely to develop anxiety (P<0.05). Female medical students exposure to violence by parents/guardians, anxiety, depression, and family dysfunction were more likely to have suicidal attempts and suicidal ideation; and those who were dissatisfied with their studies, had witnessed violence between parents or had childhood experience separation from parents were also more likely to have suicidal ideation (P<0.05). Conclusion The mental health and suicidal behavior of medical students are affected by various factors involving family conditions, childhood experience, to which parents and relevant agencies should give due attention.

Key words: medical students, mental health, suicide, contributing factors