WCM-Q student named finalist in WPA 2024 Medical Student Essay Competition

Manaal Siddiqui, a final-year medical student at Weill Cornell Medicine-Qatar (WCM-Q), has been recognized as one of the 12 finalists in the prestigious World Psychiatric Association’s (WPA) 2024 Medical Student Essay Competition.

The competition, a WPA presidential initiative supported by the United Nations Secretariat – Department of Economic and Social Affairs, Division for Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), aims to encourage innovative thinking among medical students and highlight the crucial role of mental health in global development.

This year, medical students from 41 countries and 93 medical schools submitted essays on the theme: “Improving Mental Health in the Global World Using the United Nations 17 Sustainable Development Goals.”

In her essay, titled “Using a Socioeconomic Lens to Conceptualize a Framework for the Integration and Application of the United Nations 17 Sustainable Development Goals in Addressing Mental Health Disparities Globally,” Siddiqui examines the impact of capitalism and systems of oppression, such as poverty and conflict, on global socioeconomic structure and mental health disparities. Additionally, Siddiqui proposes strategies for developing more adaptable and integrated systems to better serve diverse populations worldwide.  

Commenting on the achievement, Siddiqui said: “This competition provided me with the opportunity to consolidate my clinical experiences in Qatar and the US and contribute to the global conversation on mental health disparities. I believe this essay represents the best version of myself and my education at WCM-Q.” 

Siddiqui’s interest in psychiatry began during her pre-medical years at WCM-Q, where she was awarded a research grant to investigate lifestyle factors influencing suicidality. She also earned honors in her psychiatry clerkship and received a Certificate of Excellence for a research project examining college students’ attitudes and perceptions of mental health treatment. Reflecting on her passion for psychiatry, Siddiqui explained: “While medicine often focuses on scientific advancements, I have always been drawn to the humanistic aspect of how our experiences shape our contributions to the world. In my patient interactions, I am particularly fascinated by their histories, traumas, identities, and backgrounds and how these inform their medical issues. This fascination has naturally led me to the field of mental health.”

Dr. Javaid Sheikh, dean of WCM-Q, professor of psychiatry, and professor of population health sciences, said: “We are extremely proud that Manaal has been selected as a finalist in the prestigious 2024 Medical Student Essay Competition. This achievement recognizes her innovative contribution to the discourse on mental health and its connection to global development, as well as her potential as a future psychiatrist. We look forward to celebrating many more achievements with her in the future.”

To access the official WPA announcement, click HERE