On her fourth birthday, Chastity Edwards' mother asked her to make a wish. She closed her eyes and wished to become a doctor.
Several decades later, dream of becoming a physician had come true -- but it eventually turned into a nightmare. The business and politics of medicine were so taxing on her wellbeing that she was on the verge of leaving the profession.
Each year, my organization works with thousands of physicians like her. For all of the perceived benefits of a career in medicine -- such as high pay and respect in the community -- we see how tough it can be on each of them. Medical professionals face enormous pressures in their work lives, and, as a result, many struggle with high levels of stress and burnout.
According to a recent study, , and over half believed that their workload had impacted their mental health. Additionally, the rate of suicides among doctors is .
Promoting better mental health understanding and practices among medical professionals will help them avoid burnout, deal with stress, and address their own health concerns – but the question is, where to start? In order to help and encourage physicians, the medical community needs to reach out with understanding, learn to overcome stigmas, and encourage physicians to embrace mental health.
Causes of "exceptional" stress
Stress among medical professionals has spiked in the past half-century, as concerns like accessibility, caseload, number of patients, and litigation have become universal. On top of that, medical professionals deal with third-party documentation systems, insurance companies, and the struggles of their patients, which hits particularly hard if they don't do well.
"Taken all together," says psychiatrist J. Bradley Hassell, MD, "The exceptional stress for a physician is comparable to being a PTSD victim, with trauma stacked on trauma. It puts medical professionals at tremendous risk of suicide and burnout."
Overcoming the stigma against mental health
Physicians need more help than ever before in managing their mental health, but the same stigmas against it that exist in society are also prominent in the medical profession.
According to a study from locumstory.com, more than half of physicians reported believing that , and two-thirds would not consider meeting with a mental health professional at all.
"Even among psychiatrists, some stigmatize mental health with an 'us vs them' mentality, which does not help anyone," Hassell says.
Although reporting requirements vary from state to state, there is no HIPAA for physicians receiving mental health treatment, so physicians and nurses are worried about losing their licenses if they admit to needing help. Although medical professionals should recognize the need to seek qualified help, many states are punitive when it comes to issues of substance abuse and mental health.
"I have seen first-hand how some physicians and nurses try to handle the stresses of their jobs," Hassell says. "In the face of stigmas and fears over reporting, medical professionals sometimes dip into the sample drawer or prescribe medication for themselves to try to figure out why they are struggling, rather than seeking help from a psychiatrist or psychologist."
Ultimately, physicians and nurses are simply scared to get treatment. They dread every time they have to fill out a form in which they're asked whether they suffer from mental illness. It is a system that encourages people to keep their mental health struggles under the radar because being honest and open has so many potential pitfalls.
Using the programs that promote better health
Hassell says the best motto for a physician – and anyone – who wants to improve their mental health is "an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure."
It's not healthy for a person to be constantly miserable in their job or circumstances, and the stress and frustration will adversely affect them. "Someone in a bad situation needs to get out," Hassell says. "Even if it means that a particular career path is not a fit."
Taking steps to seek help may seem impossible for a physician who is made miserable by their practice, and it can be difficult for someone to understand their own serious need when they have the tunnel vision of depression. But avoiding or refusing help can have fatal consequences and adversely affect a lot of other people.
It is worth noting that, generally, medical professionals with mental health challenges will only lose their licenses if they are impaired. More importantly, just because a person has anxiety or depression does not automatically mean they are impaired. "Often, they are perfectly functional in their work, but in ignoring mental health needs, people struggle with burdens they shouldn't have to bear," Hassell says.
Addressing mental health is the right and healthy thing to do, regardless of the stigma, the fear, and the perceived consequences. Administrators and others who provide support for medical professionals have a responsibility to reach out when they see signs of depression and burnout. Encouraging people to speak honestly with a mental health professional about suicidal thoughts, depression, and burnout will help physicians cope with the extraordinary stresses they face, and will save lives.
is the president of , a subsidiary of the medical staffing agency CHG Healthcare, and has nearly 20 years of both physician and nurse staffing experience.