Physicians suffer in silence due to social stigma around mental health care

Physicians are trained to feel they must be perfect all the time, and society generally continues misperceptions about mental health care. As a result, physicians and health care workers don’t seek appropriate, healthy treatment for mental health issues when they need it. That is harmful to the workers and their patients, says J. Corey Feist, JD, MBA, cofounder of the Dr. Lorna Breen Heroes’ Foundation.

National Suicide Prevention Week is Sept. 4-10 and National Physician Suicide Awareness Day is Sept. 17, 2022. New survey findings show physician burnout in the workplace is a continuing problem that is not getting better. It also may be a contributor to feelings of depression and suicide. The Physicians Foundation, the Dr. Lorna Breen Heroes' Foundation and the #FirstRespondersFirst initiative are calling on health organizations to implement solutions that physicians deserve to support their mental health. If you are in crisis, please call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 988, or contact the Crisis Text Line by texting TALK to 741741.