Physician Suicide Crisis: Mental Health Advocacy in Medicine

In this week’s episode of Promising Young Surgeon, we delve into one of the most critical and sensitive topics in the medical field: physician suicide. Despite the prestige and rewards of a medical career, the pressures and challenges can lead to devastating outcomes. To help us understand this issue and explore ways to best support our colleagues, Dr. Jessi Gold joins us. Jessi is the Chief Wellness Officer of the University of Tennessee System and an associate professor in the Department of Psychiatry at the University of Tennessee Health Science Center.

Jessi shares her insights on the alarming statistics surrounding physician suicide, the contributing factors, and the importance of addressing both system-level and cultural issues in healthcare. She also discusses her personal journey and the significance of mental health advocacy, highlighting the need for open conversations and supportive environments within the medical community.