Congresswoman Haley Stevens (D-MI) and Senator Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) Introduce Resolution to Bring Awareness to Physician Suicide
Washington, DC – Today, Congresswoman Haley Stevens (D-MI) and Senator Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) introduced a bipartisan, bicameral resolution to designate September 17th as National Physician Suicide Awareness Day. Due to high-stress, intense work environments, and continuing stigma around seeking mental health care, physicians are at greater risk for suicide. According to recent data, each year in the U.S., roughly 300 - 400 physicians die by suicide. In addition, the suicide rate among male physicians is 1.41 times higher than the general male population. The suicide rate among female physicians is even more pronounced, being 2.27 times higher than the general female population.
“Physicians face a higher risk of suicide than the general population, and risk factors such as burnout, stress, and exhaustion only increased during the COVID-19 pandemic. Supporting physician mental health is critical to ensuring not only doctors’ well-being, but also that they are empowered to provide patients with the best care possible,” said Congresswoman Haley Stevens (D-MI). “This bipartisan, bicameral resolution recognizes September 17, 2023 as National Physician Suicide Awareness Day to help reduce the stigma of seeking help. Speaking up about the risks and highlighting the need for resources is the first step to reducing physician suicide.”
This resolution is co-led by: Rep. Susan Wild (D-PA) and Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA).
“Our health care workers face trauma, burnout, and a disproportionately high rate of suicide due to the stress of their demanding work,” said Congresswoman Susan Wild (D-PA). “This crisis demands our attention, which is why I am co-leading the push to designate September 17 as National Physician Suicide Awareness Day to help bring physicians’ mental health struggles out of the shadows. I will always work to get America’s health care heroes the resources, support, and care they deserve.”
“In the United States, physicians experience the highest suicide rate of any profession, more than twice that of the general population” said Congressman Fitzpatrick (R-PA), co-chair of the Bipartisan Mental Health and Substance Use Disorder Task Force. “I’m proud to join this bipartisan resolution to recognize September 17th as National Physician Suicide Awareness Day to put a spotlight on the mental health needs of our medical heroes who put their lives on the line to save others before themselves.”
“As a practicing anesthesiologist, I know first-hand the daily rigor and stress that plague physicians across our country,” said American Medical Association President Jesse M. Ehrenfeld, M.D., MPH. “This is why the AMA is deeply concerned about the intensifying mental health and burnout crises among physicians, especially throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. Whether it’s increased workload due to the physician shortage, frustration and lost productivity stemming from relentless prior authorization requests, or financial challenges of running a practice, the burdens on physicians are unsustainable. Recent studies found that more than half of all physicians experienced substantial symptoms of burnout with the most severe symptoms occurring among those working on the front lines of patient care: emergency medicine, family medicine, and internal medicine. As physicians, especially female physicians, are at a higher risk of suicide in comparison to the general population, I applaud Rep. Stevens and Senator Stabenow for introducing the resolution recognizing September 17th as National Physician Suicide Awareness Day. Congressional recognition of this growing problem is essential to saving lives and promoting better physician mental health.”
“NASMHPD is very honored to support the Physician Suicide Awareness Day 2023 Resolution. Physicians work tirelessly to provide the best care to patients and have been an integral part to the ending of the COVID-19 public health emergency and all of its challenges, while providing everyday guidance to better improve the health of all,” said Brian Hepburn, M.D., Executive Director of National Association of State Mental Health Program Directors. “Mental health awareness is vital to continuing this great work.”
“Suicide is the 11th leading cause of death in the United States, but physicians and other health professionals are at higher risk. AFSP is proud to support Rep. Stevens’ resolution to designate September 17 as National Physician Suicide Awareness Day to bring national attention to the mental health crisis affecting physicians in the United States,” said Robert Gebbia, Chief Executive Officer at the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention. “Recognizing National Physician Suicide Awareness Day is a vital call for increased research and action to better support physicians’ wellbeing and strengthen mental care options to prevent physician suicide.”
The National Physician Suicide Awareness Day Resolution is endorsed by the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, the American Medical Association, the American Hospital Association, the Council of Residency Directors in Emergency Medicine and the National Association of State Mental Health Program Directors.
* If you or someone you know is experiencing suicidal thoughts or a crisis, help is available immediately. Call the Suicide Prevention Lifeline by dialing 988.*
###