The Colorado Medical Society has announced efforts to address physician suicide by providing a range of resources aimed at improving physician wellbeing. The organization is sharing materials that include suicide prevention information, guidance on starting conversations about mental health, and a crisis management plan.
In conjunction with #NPSADay, the society encourages individuals to visit NPSADay.org for more information on how to participate in suicide prevention efforts. The group highlights the need to change the current medical practice environment to better support physicians’ mental health. This includes reducing burnout, improving job satisfaction, removing obstacles to accessing mental health care, and eliminating stigma around seeking such services.
The society outlines several actions: learning warning signs of distress, promoting self-reflection on mental health, distributing suicide prevention resources, preparing for crises before they occur, regularly checking in with physicians, removing intrusive questions about mental health from professional requirements, and fostering a culture that prioritizes wellbeing.
“Today, help us recognize #NPSADay by visiting NPSADay.org and learn how you can take action. We must shift the current practice landscape to better support a culture of wellbeing and come together to take the necessary actions to reduce burnout, safeguard job satisfaction, remove barriers to seeking mental health services and de-stigmatize seeking these services.”
