A good place to start would probably be training i.e. medical school and residency. When I was a medical student over a decade ago we had several talks about physician substance abuse including guest lecturers who had lost their license and ability to practice medicine as a result of drug abuse. I don’t think I’ll ever forget those stories, and I’m very cognizant of alcohol and drug abuse amongst physicians and therefore potentially myself.

I don’t recall receiving any education on physician suicide. Hopefully this will change soon. I know that over the past couple of years I am more acutely aware of my close colleagues mindset as a result of hearing these stories. Like you say, recognition is important.

Why do you only mention men in medicine ? Is it easier on women in medicine – who are often breadwinners , with a less appreciative or supportive partner ( because society makes men feel less maaculine so they are more resentful than supportive ), with child care duties …… and patients who expect more compassion and time … because after all you are a woman !! And added society pressure to still look well groomed ( manicure , pedicure , hair , make up …) . Your reply was good other than the focus on medical men .

If most people knew just how much they were actually valued, so many fewer would make the decision to end their life. I don’t view Hatton’s friend in the same light. They are facing a disease that they can’t win against and wanting to go before quality of life is no longer there. Although, many great people have lived great lives where quality may have been suspect on the outside. Still, I can’t hold it against someone who wants to spare loved ones the pain of watching a slow, painful death.

At the very least, we can all do our part to make sure those around us know just how much they are valued.
cd :O)

Against that background, it would seem impossible for individuals to do or achieve anything to change this. But that is wrong, it is only individuals that can make a difference. 100% agree with the HP that YOU can help somebody, by being a real friend, forget Twitbook and Fritter, emephermal narcotising crap for the multinationals; but speak to people, and listen. This will be more real and fulfilling than any number of likes, and as has been said above, don’t play the Corporate Game of ‘stuff’. So what if a Porsche gets to 60mph in 3s, my Honda gets there in 10s. So what if the latest phone has a gazillion pixels on its phone, if all you are doing is working to pay for it, you aren’t ever going to enjoy it.
Seek friendship, and freedom. These two things will allow you more riches than you can ever buy.

I agree that being financially secure can help to reduce stress and may help to reduce suicide amongst physicians. But I don’t agree that all doctors’ wives want nice cars. I know lots of doctors’ wives (and husbands, because this is the 21st century) who are perfectly happy with practical cars and reasonable homes. You just have to pick the right one!

I had some very dark times in high school and early college. Looking back, I was probably depressed, and the thought of suicide crossed my mind more than once. I never started the planning phase. If I had decided to commit suicide, I think it would have been very difficult to stop me. Over time, life kept moving, things got better, and I slowly came out of it.

I don’t know how to prevent suicide. Humans have always done it, and probably always will. A lack of social connections and lack of a path out of their suffering are certainly big parts of the problem. I think what you do here—telling the story to a wider audience—might help wake some people up who have not been pushed over the edge yet. Thanks, THP.