Being that it’s mental health awareness month, I wanted to share some thoughts I had about this topic as it pertains to healthcare workers (HCW).

A few days ago, I came across a thread recommending that doctors don’t report any mental health issues unless they’ve been hospitalized. (Paraphrased... I spent the last hour looking for this thread with no luck. Tag me if you know what I’m talking about and find it)

I find it hypocritical for medicine as an institution to tout the importance of mental health and then penalize those who speak about their struggles. If you report any psychiatric diagnoses/treatment, you’ll face hurdles when it comes to licensing.

As a recent med school grad, I am just starting my career in the midst of a pandemic. I’ve read countless stories of HCWs treating their colleagues & losing patients, while those not in healthcare are calling coronavirus a “hoax” and protesting stay at home orders and masks

The emotional burden that HCWs carry is stressful and can even be traumatic. We know that trauma can negatively impact our emotional, physical and cognitive health. We talk about physician burn out and physician suicide.

Residencies are taking note of this. During my interview trail, every residency program would speak about the “wellness initiatives” they have in place to combat these issues. But we need to keep in mind that wellness means different things to different people.

If we know that burn out exists & understand how important mental health is, why do we continue to stigmatize those who seek treatment? Shouldn’t we be applauding them for taking care of themselves?