Barriers to physician mental health: A conversation with Dr. Stefanie Simmons

A national survey from The Heart of Safety Coalition and the ALL IN: Wellbeing First for Health Coalition illustrates the ongoing challenges health care workers face when it comes to mental health. Despite greater awareness of burnout and well-being in medicine, many clinicians still hesitate to seek help because of fears about losing their license, facing credentialing issues, or being stigmatized by peers.

Medical Economics spoke with Stefanie Simmons, MD, chief medical officer of the Dr. Lorna Breen Heroes’ Foundation, about what the survey revealed about these persistent barriers and why progress has been slower than many hoped. She explains how licensing and credentialing policies can discourage physicians, nurses, and other health professionals from getting the care they need—and what’s being done to change that.

The conversation also explores how the foundation, named in honor of emergency physician Dr. Lorna Breen, is working to transform the culture of medicine by removing systemic obstacles and normalizing mental health support. While the landscape is starting to shift—some states and institutions have begun revising outdated mental health questions and implementing supportive programs—many clinicians still feel uncertain about confidentiality and potential repercussions.

Where is meaningful progress happening, what still needs to change, and how can health care organizations take practical steps to protect and promote the well-being of their workforce? Why do some physicians look down upon colleagues who seek mental health care? There are many factors at play in why physicians and other health care workers are expected to be above needing the same types of care as the general population they help care for.