Here are six things to know:
1. About 100 medical students and practicing physicians listened as Joan Anzia, MD, said about 350 physicians to 400 physicians commit suicide in the United States annually. Dr. Anzia is a Northwestern University psychiatry professor.
2. About 29 percent of resident physicians present depressive symptoms, according to a 2015 Journal of the American Medical Association study.
3. Dr. Anzia noted physicians are especially vulnerable to suicide following a traumatic work experience, like a patient death.
4. The high-intensive medical environment has fostered a stigma of weakness around mental illness.
5. Dr. Anzia recommended physicians seek support from colleagues, family and friends. She also suggested taking up a hobby to allow physicians to escape the stress of their days.
6. Several institutions are taking action to combat depression among physicians. Physicians may call a clinician at Northwestern at any hour to speak confidentially. Missouri has proposed a bill that would jumpstart a study on depression in medical schools.
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