On Physician Suicide
Silencing and Shame
This week’s newsletter comes with a Trigger Warning for discussing the topic of physician suicide.
Ever since I entered medical education, I have heard the unfortunate news of physicians dying by suicide but I never knew the statistics. Numbers hold powerful reminders of what is happening around us.
Sharing physician suicide statistics with you below
Over 400 physicians die by suicide every year in the United States.
Physicians have twice the suicide rate compared to the general population (Medscape Physician Suicide Report 2022)
Suicide is the second leading cause of death among residents (ACGME).
Medical students are three times more likely than their peers to die by suicide (AAMC).
Female physicians are at an exponentially higher risk—up to 400% more likely to die by suicide compared to their counterparts in other professions(American Foundation for Suicide Prevention).
These aren’t just numbers—they are people. They are physicians who have dedicated their lives to healing others, leaving behind grieving families and communities.
While physicians might have a lower mortality risk from diseases like cancer and heart disease compared to the general population, their risk of dying from suicide is significantly higher (Medscape 2022).
It is hypothesized the statistics shared above are underreported which makes me even sadder.
September is National Suicide Prevention Month, and I urge you to learn more about the epidemic of physician suicide and discover how you can support not just physicians but all healthcare workers in your community.
I am proud to serve as an Ambassador at the Dr. Lorna Breen Heroes' Foundation
Visit the Dr. Lorna Breen Heroes' Foundation’s webpage, it is the only non-profit organization exclusively focused on healthcare worker mental health and well-being. Please learn more, share, and spread awareness. We are all in this together.
🛑P.S. If you or someone you know needs immediate help, please call or text the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988.
Mourning the silent epidemic: the physician suicide crisis and suggestions for change
Please share this Instagram and LinkedIn post to help create awareness surrounding Physician Suicide. Every voice counts.
Until Next Week,
Amna
Thank you for sharing about this important topic and for all of the work that you do to make medicine a better place for all of us.
1 is unacceptable, 400 is unbelievable. Keep checking on your colleagues. Get help if you are struggling. We need you here. Thank you, Amna for sharing this.