Medical professionals are superheroes whose stressful routine distracts them from addressing their own well-being.
#Mentalhealth is a key factor in determining one’s overall health condition. Staying mentally healthy is essential for everyone and is a vital criterion for #doctors. Very often we tend to think that #doctors have it all together and need little to very less support.
Related: The weight of men’s #mentalhealth
However, medical professionals are continually exposed to heavy workloads, traumatic conditions, erratic working hours, and challenging situations. Yet, seeking help for #mentalhealth might be the last thing most #doctors have on their to-do lists.
It does not take too long for medical professionals to feel burnt out in life. A study conducted at the University of Pennsylvania in 2006 showed a burnout rate of 4.3 to 55.3 per cent in the first post-graduate year of training, commonly known as the “intern” year. Emotional exhaustion, depersonalisation, and a sense of decreased personal accomplishment were some of the common traits associated with #students within the first year.
Related: #Mentalhealth: an urgent priority for Africa
The #American College of Emergency #Physicians cited a recent article published in The Atlantic, revealing that 300 to 400 #physicians die by #suicide each year. The study also revealed that #suicide rates were 250 to 400 per cent higher among #female #physicians when compared to #females in other professions.
Another study conducted by Medscape on #Physician #Suicide in 2022 revealed that 11 per cent of #female #doctors and nine per cent of #male #doctors have had #suicidalthoughts. Besides, 64 per cent of #doctors experienced colloquial #depression.
Dr. Shaju George, Specialist #Psychiatrist at the Dubai Community Health Centre, said that #doctors lead a very stressful lifestyle. Therefore, they are unaware or at times even ignorant of #mentalhealthissues.
“#Suicide rates are the highest among #doctor groups- especially surgeons, #psychiatrists, and critical care experts. #Depression, #anxietydisorders, hypertension, diabetes, and heart attack are also common- among #physicians. However, seeking help is minimal,” said Dr. George.
He added that awareness-building sessions among #doctors could help bridge the gap and reduce the taboo and #stigma associated with seeking help for #mentalhealth.
#Physicians are often looked upon as superheroes who seldom need any help. We look up to #doctors to solve our woes, and often think they are strong and capable of anything. And this is just what makes it hard for #doctors to realise they need help and take time away for their #mental well-being.
It is time to normalise #physicians seeking #mental help. But, how can this be achieved? Here are some ways healthcare providers could change the game for #physicians that need #mental help.
#James Donaldson notes:
Welcome to the “next chapter” of my life… being a voice and an advocate for #mentalhealthawarenessandsuicideprevention, especially pertaining to our younger generation of students and student-athletes.
Getting men to speak up and reach out for help and assistance is one of my passions. Us men need to not suffer in silence or drown our sorrows in alcohol, hang out at bars and strip joints, or get involved with drug use.
Having gone through a recent bout of #depression and #suicidalthoughts myself, I realize now, that I can make a huge difference in the lives of so many by sharing my story, and by sharing various resources I come across as I work in this space. #http://bit.ly/JamesMentalHealthArticle
Order your copy of James Donaldson’s latest book,
#CelebratingYourGiftofLife:
From The Verge of Suicide to a Life of Purpose and Joy
www.celebratingyourgiftoflife.com
Encourage a safe space for expression
As #doctors, it is natural to feel stressed or burnout. But, brushing aside the feeling and trying to keep it all together might not help always. Instead, it is best to speak up. Confide in a trusted colleague, friend, or a family member. Dr. George stressed that hospitals and clinics should initiate regular check-ins with their #physicians. Wellness programmes can be made a part of hospitals so that #doctors have immediate help on hand and do not have to shy away from seeking help.
Evaluate workloads
#Physicians tend to take on more work and feel burnt out. As an immediate measure, healthcare employers should weigh the workload given to their professionals and set achievable goals. The conversation here must not be whether a #physician can take #stress or not, rather it must redefine workloads, and ensure #doctors are not overburdened with responsibilities.
“Hospitals should conduct regular surveys and screenings anonymously?to understand what #doctors go through. This would help them diagnose #stress level and also analyse the severity”, Dr. George added.
Maintain confidentiality
#Patients view #physicians as healers or icons of good health. So, while #mentalhealth may be a topic that should be openly discussed, this may not be an ideal solution for a #physician as it could affect their careers. Hospitals must ensure that utmost privacy is provided to protect those who seek help for #mentalhealth reasons.
James Donaldson is a Washington State University graduate (’79). After an outstanding basketball career with WSU, he went on to play professional basketball in the NBA with the Seattle Supersonics, San Diego/L.A. Clippers, Dallas Mavericks, New York Knicks, and Utah Jazz. He also played for several teams in the European Leagues in Spain, Italy, and Greece, and he toured with The Harlem Globetrotters to wrap up his career. James was an NBA All-Star in 1988 while playing center for the Dallas Mavericks. In 2006, James was inducted into the Pac-10 Sports Hall of Fame and also the Washington State University Athletic Hall of Fame. In 2010, James was elected as a board member for the NBA Retired Players Association.
James frequently conducts speaking engagements (motivational, inspirational, educational) for organizations, schools, and youth groups.
In 2010, James was the recipient of the NBA Legends of Basketball ABC Award, awarded for outstanding contributions in Athletics–Business–Community.
He believes in being a role model for success and professionalism to the scores of young people to whom he devotes so much of his time. He currently serves on several boards and committees and is a member of many organizations.
James believes in developing relationships that create a “Win-Win” environment for everyone involved, and in being the best he can be!
For more information about James Donaldson or to request he speak at your event, contact him at:
www.StandingAboveTheCrowd.com
JamesD@StandingAboveTheCrowd.com
1-800-745-3161 (voicemail & fax)
James Donaldson is the author of “Standing Above The Crowd” and “Celebrating Your Gift of Life” and founder of the Your Gift of Life Foundation which focuses on mental health awareness and suicide prevention, especially pertaining to our school aged children and men.
If you’re interested in having James come and speak to your group of young adults, business entrepreneurs, aspiring political and community leaders, and athletic teams, please contact him at jamesd@yourgiftoflife.org and or leave a personal message for him at 1-800-745-3161. Keep up with him and read about how he is reaching out and making a difference in the lives of so many around the world at www.yourgiftoflife.org
