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Primary Care

Understanding Physician Mental Health

Content warning: Discussion of suicide

Doctors treat illnesses and refer patients to specialists to help them get the care they need. But what about themselves? Physician mental health is crucial to your well-being—though it can easily fall by the wayside.

Taking care of your mind can help you lead a healthier life, not to mention make your job more rewarding. Though the numbers about doctors’ well-being can be alarming, there are resources available to help.

What the Numbers Say About Doctors’ Mental Health

Physician mental health has long been a topic of discussion, especially after the COVID-19 pandemic. While there are many studies with estimates and percentages available, we’ve compiled a short list to paint a picture of the state of mental health in healthcare:

  • Healthcare workers are at a higher risk of suicide compared to the general population, especially doctors who identify as women.
  • Male physicians have a 5% increased and women have a 24% increased risk of a fatal suicide attempt.
  • Women and female-presenting doctors may be 20% to 60% more likely to experience burnout than men.
  • Fields with more shortages often have higher rates of suicidal ideation, with otolaryngology at 13%, followed by psychiatry, family medicine and anesthesiology.

Certain specialties also have higher rates of mild to severe depression among physicians:

  • Urology 38.5%
  • Emergency medicine 38.3%
  • Family medicine 35.8%
  • Obstetrics and gynecology 33.6%
  • General internal medicine 33.3%

Mental health concerns among doctors are a substantial issue, making it crucial to understand contributing factors and available resources.

Top Contributors to Poor Mental Health in Healthcare

Why do physicians experience symptoms of mental health conditions like depression and anxiety? A mismanaged work environment, bias and discrimination, and pervasive stigmas are some of the leading causes. These can be further broken down into:

Burnout
Many doctors report feelings of burnout—physical or emotional exhaustion or stress—due to their jobs. These feelings often stem from issues of workload, autonomy and workplace inefficiencies. The CDC Quality of Worklife survey showed that health worker burnout rates were at 46% in 2022, higher than previous years.

Stigma
Many doctors are taught to prioritize self-reliance, which could dissuade them from seeking help. There is also a perceived risk that admitting to mental health issues could have negative repercussions in the workplace. More than 40% of physicians surveyed in a Medscape study admitted this is why they didn’t seek help.

Work environment
Some issues at the workplace can also contribute to a physician’s poor mental health. Doctors may experience harassment, racism, sexism, homophobia and more that can negatively impact their well-being.

While these are some of the most prominent causes, you or your colleagues may experience these feelings for other reasons. Regardless of the source, it’s crucial to have resources available for those that need them.

Physician Mental Health Resources

If you or someone you know is experiencing poor mental health, it’s time to seek assistance from outside sources. First, you may want to consult your own PCP or mentor. Your doctor can provide an outside perspective to your concerns and offer treatment or referrals as necessary.

Additional well-being resources include:

If you or someone you know is experiencing a crisis or thoughts of suicide, call 911 or go to the emergency room. You can also call, text or chat with the 988 Lifeline.

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