Rx: Wellness: The Importance of Finding Colleagues You Can Confide In

by Jennifer A. Villwock, MD •

Safe people. May we know them; may we train them; may we be them.

Dr. Villwock is an assistant professor of otolaryngology–head and neck surgery in the division of rhinology and skull base surgery at University of Kansas Medical Center in Kansas City. She is also a member of the ENTtoday editorial advisory board.

Resources

If you are struggling, there are resources available. You are not alone.

If you, or someone you know, is considering suicide, please call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 800/273-8255. Free and confidential support is available 24/7 for people in distress, prevention and crisis resources, and best practices for professionals.

Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs) offer free and confidential assessments, short-term counseling and follow-up services for people with personal or work-related issues. EAPs address a broad and complex array of issues affecting mental and emotional well-being such as substance use, stress, grief, family problems, and psychological issues.

References

  1. Graham J. Why are doctors plagued by depression and suicide? A crisis comes into focus. Stat. Published July 21, 2016.
  2. Mata DA, Ramos MA, Bansal N, et al. Prevalence of depression and depressive symptoms among resident physicians: a systematic review and meta-analysis. JAMA. 2015;314:2373–2383.
  3. Mazurkiewicz R, Korenstein D, Fallar R, Ripp J. The prevalence and correlations of medical student burnout in the pre-clinical years: a cross-sectional study. Psychol Health Med. 2012;17:188–195.
  4. Rottenberg J, Kashdan T. Thriving after depression: why are scientists ignoring good outcomes? The Conversation. Published June 29, 2018.