Today is Time to Talk Day – a reminder of the importance of talking about mental health. Talking can help to lighten the burden, reduce isolation, and challenge stigma. Talking therapies can also deliver effective, evidence-based treatments for mental health difficulties.
Talking about mental health isn’t easy though. This seems to be especially true for doctors.
The Medscape UK Doctors’ Burnout & Lifestyle Survey 2020 found that 77% of doctors experiencing burnout and/or depression were not planning to seek professional help. Given the rising numbers of those struggling with mental health issues that equates to a lot of doctors suffering in silence.
The two major reasons for doctors not seeking help were believing they could deal with these difficulties without professional help, and that their symptoms weren’t severe enough. A third of respondents also stated they were too busy to seek help. However, a significant proportion (nearly 20%) said they weren’t going to seek help because they were concerned about others finding out.
The survey also asked about thoughts of suicide. The results are devastating: 1 in 5 doctors said they had experienced thoughts of suicide. More than half of these (54%) said they had not told anyone.
The most common reason for not seeking professional support for suicidal thoughts was believing they didn’t need it. The other common reasons related to stigma, how they might be perceived by colleagues, and the potential impact on their careers.
It is appalling to think of so many doctors (and other health professionals I am sure) suffering on their own and in silence.
If you are struggling right now, and worried about seeking help, please read on as I try to address some of these barriers and concerns.
“I can deal with it on my own”
Maybe, but you don’t need to.
The research shows that about half of those with untreated depression will show some improvement after 12 months. A year is a long time to wait though, in the hope of some improvement. There are lots of ways to deal with depression and burnout (e.g. exercise, social support, meaningful activity) but professional support will give you the best chance of recovery.
As health professionals we tend to be pretty bad at recognising our own needs. Please at least seek a second opinion before ruling professional help out completely.
If you are experiencing suicidal thoughts, please, please tell someone. The stakes are too high for you to be on your own with this.
“My problems aren’t bad enough”
Maybe, but this is just the time to seek help.
We know that prevention is better than cure. It is much easier to recover from milder symptoms and prevent things from getting worse, than to disentangle yourself from entrenched difficulties. Studies have found that the sooner people seek help, the better the outcomes are likely to be.
Would you ever tell a patient who is suffering that they should wait until things get worse, even when you know there are many effective treatments available that would help right now? I doubt it. Don’t deny yourself help and support that could make a big difference now, and prevent things from getting worse.
“I’m too busy”
Exactly.
At the moment, in the midst of a global pandemic, “busy” probably doesn’t come close to describing the lives of doctors right now. But setting aside your own needs to fulfill your job (or other) demands is only ever going to be effective in the short-term.
You may be feeling so overwhelmed that you can’t find the time or the headspace to reach out for support. If this is you, please know that there are many different forms of support available out there. Getting help doesn’t need to mean intensive twice-weekly therapy sessions. There are a variety of options available to you including text services and free short-term coaching options. Take the time just to send a text or make a call today – that one small step might make all the difference.
“I’m worried about others finding out”
Know you are not alone.
Next time you are at work look around you – the stats suggest that in a room of 10 colleagues 5 are likely to be experiencing clinically significant levels of psychological distress and 2 are likely to have had suicidal thoughts. Unfortunately, mental health stigma is a reality, particularly within the health professions. That needs addressing, but more importantly, right now, you need support.
You may be reluctant to access the support available to you through your workplace – you’d be in good company there too. The Medscape survey found that only 30% of doctors were likely to use workplace wellbeing services. There has been great work done over the last year to improve the workplace support on offer to staff, so do check it out. But if concern about your colleagues finding out prevents you from getting support please look elsewhere. There are lots of alternatives (see below).
How to access support
If you are experiencing suicidal thoughts please seek help straight away. You can call 111, the Samaritans (116 123) or text FRONTLINE to 85258.
1. Your workplace
Your workplace will have a variety of support options in place. One of the positive things to come out of the pandemic is more investment in supporting staff wellbeing. Check out the options available to you, or give Occupational Health a call. If this worries you, please don’t stop there, as there are many other sources of support.
2. Other sources of free mental health support
I have put together a resource list of free mental health support services specifically for health professionals. The services range from supportive text counselling to individual psychotherapy. Please consider one of these options.
3. Independent psychologists and therapists
If you would prefer to work with an independent psychologist, counsellor or therapist Psychology Today is a good place to start. If you would like to work with me I offer a free initial consultation to discuss whether I’d be a good fit for what you need.
Whatever option you choose please do reach out and talk to someone.
