2 minute read
AAEM/RSA President’s Message: Physician Suicide Awareness
Lauren Lamparter, MD
As President of AAEM/ RSA and as we head into the holiday season, I wanted to take the time to re-share this special message about physician suicide awareness.
Death by suicide is one of the leading causes of death in the United States, and it claims the lives of about 300 physicians every year. 1,2 Depression is three times more prevalent among residents than their peers and suicide is the first and second leading cause of death for male and female residents, respectively. 3,4 Emergency medicine, in particular, is a field with one of the leading rates of burnout, and the persistent impact of the global pandemic has done nothing to ease this burden for physicians.
Advocacy for the preservation of physicians’ lives and the support of their mental health is incredibly important to me as throughout my own short career in medicine I have been directly impacted by the loss of my own coworkers and friends by suicide. Too many resident and medical student lives have ended secondary to depression and suicide. It is clear that as a society, we need to step up and something needs to change.
At AAEM/RSA, we are dedicated to supporting the well-being of our residents and medical students. We will continue to work tirelessly to be your advocate and to be a place you can turn to for resources and support. 5 We are extremely proud to have endorsed a bipartisan & bicameral resolution to recognize National Physician Suicide Awareness Day on September 17. This resolution aims to raise awareness, reduce the stigma of mental health issues, and promote a national discussion about physician suicide.
We take September 17—and every day—to remember those who have died by suicide and the impact their lives had on their family, friends, and acquaintances. Today, we are also hopeful that by taking the necessary actions to recognize the signs of someone who is struggling and encouraging our friends and coworkers to seek help, we can preserve the lives of those who might be struggling with depression, burnout, and thoughts of suicide.
I hope you know that we care deeply about you. Whether you are a resident or a medical student—you matter. Every day, what you do is not only important to the specialty of emergency medicine, but also to the people around you. Please do not hesitate to reach out for help.
If you or someone you know needs help, call 1-800-273-8255 for the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. You can also text HOME to 741-741 for free, 24-hour support from the Crisis Text Line.
References
1. https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/statistics/ suicide
2. https://www.acgme.org/Portals/0/PDFs/ten%20 facts%20about%20physician%20suicide.pdf
3. https://www.aamc.org/news-insights/healingvery-youngest-healers
4. https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/69/wr/ mm6932a1.htm
5. https://www.aaemrsa.org/get-involved/ committees/wellness/resources
