National Physician Suicide Awareness Day, observed annually on September 17th, is an important reminder and call to action to understand the underlying barriers to mental health care for physicians and create open dialogue that can help those in distress seek the care they need. The Washington Physicians Health Program (WPHP) is committed to addressing this crisis and taking proactive steps to support our healers.
Explore the valuable suicide prevention resources below, whether you are a physician yourself or concerned about a colleague or loved one.
Preventing Physician Suicide: Identify and Support At-Risk Physicians Toolkit
The American Medical Association created a toolkit to help identify risk factors and warning signs for suicide among physicians. It outlines how to build an environment of support in a medical practice and simplify the process of receiving support. Dr. Chris Bundy, Executive Medical Director of WPHP, contributed his expertise to the toolkit.
The four steps to identify and support at-risk physicians are:
- Identify suicide risk factors and warning signs
- Promote care-seeking behaviors
- Train a physician advocate
- Make it easy to get help
Vital Signs: The Campaign to Prevent Physician Suicide
The Physicians Foundation and the Dr. Lorna Breen Heroes’ Foundation developed a seven-step action plan to help reduce physician burnout and ensure physicians’ struggles don’t become mental health emergencies. The seven actions include:
- Learn the vital signs
- Encourage mental health reflection
- Share suicide prevention resources
- Prepare before a moment in crisis
- Check in with a physician
- Remove intrusive mental health questions
- Create a culture of wellbeing
View action plan to learn more
Federation of State Physician Health Programs (FSPHP) Physician Suicide Prevention Resources
FSPHP has compiled relevant articles, publications, videos, and resources to support the prevention of physician suicide and assist with educational outreach.
The Role of Physician Health Programs in Suicide Prevention Webinar
This webinar recognizes the mental health challenges faced by healthcare workers, discusses the effectiveness of physician health programs in reducing suicide risk and improving the wellbeing of physicians, and shares high-impact prevention strategies and responsible communication guidelines when discussing suicide in healthcare settings.
Dr. Chris Bundy, Chief Medical Officer of FSPHP and Executive Medical Director of WPHP, Dr. Christine Yu Moutier, Chief Medical Officer of the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, and Dr. Michael Baron, President of FSPHP and Medical Director of the Tennessee Medical Foundation, lead this important discussion.
What is WPHP Doing About Physician Suicide?
This article featured in the Washington Medical Commission’s quarterly newsletter details WPHP’s ongoing work to address physician suicide through suicide risk assessment and management protocols, education, and advocacy.
Quick Links