Today is National Physician Suicide Awareness Day. On average, physicians commit suicide at twice the average rate in the general population. Approximately 300-400 physicians die by suicide each year. This may be an underestimate. The rate is roughly 1.4 times higher for male physicians than the general male population and 2.3 times higher for female physicians than the general female population.
If you want to talk, are feeling overwhelmed, or feel suicidal, there is way out. If you know someone who is in pain, reach out to them! Please don’t let anyone at Cooper become a statistic!
There is help available from many different resources if you feel suicidal and want to talk. Some resources include the following:
Carebridge 800-437-0911, https://www.myliferesource.com/mlro/mbLogon.aspx
When creating your account, please use Cooper Access Code WBPNF.
** All employees are entitled to 6 free sessions for themselves or a family member
Cooper Assistance 856-342-2280
** Insurance can be used
Center for Emotional Health 856-220-9672, http://thecenterforemotionalhealth.com/
** Insurance can be used
For non-urgent appointments with Cooper Psychiatry, call Sarah Kelly 856-325-6568.
The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, 1-800-273-8255, can help those who would like to speak with a counselor. If you are desperate with a plan, please call 911 for immediate assistance.
Additional resources available include:
- ACP’s #PhysicianWellBeing resources http://ow.ly/Ly4b50ur7d0 can be used to enhance wellbeing, or improve your practice or organization environment. The section on suicide is about 2/3 of the way down the page under Enhance your Personal Well-Being.
- The Council of Residency Directors in Emergency Medicine (CORD) is leading a collaborative effort with ACP and other medical organizations to support NPSA Day. Their resources can be found https://www.cordem.org/npsa and include a curriculum, podcasts, videos, and articles.
- The American Association of Suicidology is hosting a day of Facebook interviews with suicide prevention experts talking about physician suicide & what can be done to help. https://www.facebook.com/AASuicidology/photos/join-our-all-day-national-physician-suicide-awareness-day-facebook-live-streamin/10155843310868927/
- Pending legislation (Senate Bill 4349) aims to reduce and prevent suicide, burnout, and mental and behavioral health conditions among healthcare professionals. https://augustafreepress.com/bipartisan-legislation-would-provide-support-to-healthcare-professionals-mental-health/.