Tackling the escalating mental health crisis among doctors

Poor mental health among doctors has reached crisis levels. 75% of doctors report experiencing burnout or stress, with 93% stating that these issues have worsened since the COVID-19 pandemic.¹

Despite these alarming numbers, 68% say their workplace doesn’t prioritise mental health support, even though 50% of doctors would accept it if it were offered. These statistics highlight an urgent need for change.¹

So, what’s driving this mental health crisis? What barriers prevent doctors from accessing and seeking help? And most importantly, what support could be provided? This article uses current research and thoughts from verified doctors in the Sermo Community to shed light on the subject.

Understanding the mental health challenges doctors face

Doctors face unique pressures that many outside the profession can’t fully comprehend. For example, doctor burnout in the specialty of Emergency Medicine is at 63% due to the high-stress, high-intensity environment.²

These challenges manifest in alarmingly high rates of poor mental health: 29% of doctors experience depression and 24% face anxiety.³ Even more troubling, doctor rates of suicide are disproportionately high. Doctor suicide is twice as likely compared to the general population.⁴

The root causes of these suicides and depression in doctors statistics are multifaceted and deeply ingrained in the healthcare system. Long hours and heavy workloads leave doctors physically and emotionally drained, while moral distress — stemming from resource shortages and adverse patient outcomes — compounds daily stress.⁵ Emotional trauma is a constant burden, yet cultural stigma prevents many from seeking help, with 34% fearing professional repercussions.¹ This leaves countless doctors struggling in silence.

The ripple effects of poor doctor mental health are profound and include:

• Sleep deprivation undermines immune function, memory retention and emotional resilience, impairing doctors’ ability to perform and process trauma.⁵
• A hostile work environment which further exacerbates the issue, with 1 in 3 medical students reporting sexual harassment and 51% experiencing bullying.⁵

These stressors not only increase the likelihood of medical errors but also erode the quality of patient care. As a Sermo Family Medicine member aptly stated, “If health personnel are not in good mental health, patients cannot be cared for as they need.⁶”

Addressing these challenges is essential — not just for doctors’ well-being but for the safety and quality of the care they provide.

Barriers to mental health support and overcoming stigma

Barriers to mental health support remain a significant challenge for doctors, driven primarily by self-stigmatisation and restrictive licensing requirements. According to a recent Sermo poll:

• 40% of doctors believe colleagues with a history of depression or anxiety are viewed as less competent.⁷
• 47% think such individuals are less likely to be hired.⁷
• 40% avoid treatment due to fears of licensing repercussions.⁸

To see doctors’ trending attitudes concerning politics and healthcare, participate in our live Sermo poll. If you’re not a member, sign up and click the link to go directly to the poll.

Self-stigmatisation, fueled by perfectionism and self-sufficiency, leads many to view psychological distress as a personal failing, resulting in shame and delayed treatment. Compounding this issue are mandatory mental health declarations for licensure, which reinforce fears of professional consequences.⁹ Both of these challenges create an environment where doctors struggle to access care, perpetuating the cycle of poor mental health.

With 26% of doctors urging hospitals to address burnout,¹ policy reform is essential to foster open dialogue and create a culture where seeking support is safe and encouraged. As a Sermo GP noted, “Changes in regulations could substantially benefit thousands.¹⁰”

What are the practical solutions to reduce doctor burnout? A key factor in the emerging crisis

Improve staffing levels and workloads

Addressing burnout requires tackling its root causes, including inadequate staffing and excessive workloads. With a U.S. doctor shortage projected to reach 64,000 this year and 86,000 by 2036,¹¹ the strain on remaining healthcare workers continues to intensify, fueling stress and burnout.

Hospitals and practices need to consider some actionable steps to tackle the issue of burnout, such as flexible scheduling and telemedicine, mental health initiatives, and reduced administrative burdens.

As one Sermo GP described, “The doctors are not enough, and this has generated a lot of stress, long hours and illnesses that make them absent from work.¹²” Improving staffing levels would ease workloads, reduce stress and enhance doctors’ mental health, enabling them to deliver higher-quality, more consistent patient care.

Give more vacation time

Time off is critical for recharging and reducing burnout, yet many doctors feel they don’t get enough. Many Sermo members advocate for longer vacation allowances.

Vacations that are too short can exacerbate stress, as one Family Medicine member explained: “Shorter vacations are stressful and almost not worth it in terms of coming back to a bunch of paperwork when already tired.¹³”

In contrast, longer holidays can give doctors enough time to unwind. As a Paediatrics member noted, “Two weeks is the sweet spot — it allows for the decompression days, then finally the enjoyment.¹³”

Therefore, offering sufficient vacation time in one way to help doctors truly recharge and maintain their mental health.

Streamline administrative burdens with AI tools

Studies show that doctors tend to report lower levels of burnout when they can provide their patients with a positive healthcare experience. Yet, administrative tasks often take them away from their ability to focus on their patients. As one Sermo member shared, “Reduce administrative tasks so we have more time with patients.¹⁴”

Healthcare organisations should look to incorporating AI-powered tools in their operations, such as electronic health record systems, to automate repetitive administrative tasks. This technology could enable doctors to dedicate more time to meaningful patient interactions, enhancing care quality while potentially supporting the doctor to maintain good mental health.

Offer comprehensive mental health training programmes

“Mental health care is very important in medical training and practice because we go through a lot of mental stress,¹⁵” one Sermo GP member succinctly argues.

Programmes like Mental Health Awareness Training (MHAT) by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) demonstrate the impact such initiatives can have, with 487,459 individuals trained and 80% showing improved knowledge, attitudes and beliefs about mental health.¹⁶

By equipping doctors with tools to recognise and manage mental health challenges in themselves and colleagues, healthcare systems can foster resilience and early intervention, improving both individual wellbeing and patient care.

Ensure safe & confidential access to mental health services

34% of Sermo members emphasise the need for assurance that seeking care won’t harm their careers,¹ so fear of professional repercussions remains one of the greatest barriers to doctors asking for mental health support.

Programmes like NHS Practitioner Health in the UK illustrate the importance of confidential, stigma-free services. In this model, 76% of practitioners who were unable to work returned after treatment such as counselling.¹⁷ Providing doctors with safe, confidential avenues for support ensures they can seek the care they need without fear of professional consequences.

Removing systemic barriers through revised licensure policies and providing doctors with safe, routes to support ensures they can seek the care they need without fear of professional consequences, ultimately enabling them to deliver better patient care.

Use online resources and peer support

Safe spaces are essential for fostering connection, reducing isolation and addressing the stigma around mental health in the medical community. These environments allow doctors to share experiences, reflect on challenges and build emotional resilience. Examples include:

• Conference talks: “If I can prevent one of you … from dying by suicide or suffering alone, it will be worth it.¹⁸” These powerful words were shared by Carrie Cunningham, MD, a former nurse who faced severe depression and temporarily stepped away from her practice. Using her own experience as a platform, she emphasised the critical role conference talks can play in addressing doctor mental health by breaking stigma, fostering open dialogue and encouraging others to seek support.
• Online peer networks: Digital platforms like Sermo provide accessible support for doctors, with 29% of members preferring these tools to manage burnout and 32% advocating for their role in reducing isolation.¹⁹ As Kirch emphasised, “Sharing our personal struggles can help save [lives].⁴”
• In-person advocacy groups: In-person spaces like Schwartz rounds and Balint groups create opportunities for deeper emotional connection. As one Sermo GP noted, “We should normalise talking about mental health, especially because we are health personnel.²⁰”

By expanding these safe spaces, doctors can build stronger peer connections, normalise seeking help and foster resilience.

The key takeaway

The doctor mental health crisis is undeniable, with 75% reporting burnout and 92% witnessing it in colleagues.¹

Addressing mental health for doctors requires robust solutions: workplace policies to ease burdens, peer support systems to foster connection and legislative advocacy to create systemic change.

Doctors must champion their own well-being and support each other, ensuring a healthier future for themselves and their patients. Together, these steps can help rebuild resilience and prioritise mental health.

Join the Sermo Community

Access peer support forums, participate in polls and gain valuable insights from a global network of physicians on Sermo.

Join Sermo now and be part of a supportive, solutions-focused community.

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15. Sermo 2024 Comment on Poll of the Week: Work-life balance in medical school.
16. SAMHSA
17. NHS
18. AAMC
19. Sermo: Half of Sermo doctors would take advantage of mental health support
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