World Mental Health Day 2019: Doctors, how are you feeling?

 

It’s no secret that working long, unsociable hours, rising patient numbers and the strain that staff shortages can cause to your hospital, can put you under a lot of pressure as a doctor. On World Mental Health Day, we want to highlight the importance of seeking professional help if you are struggling with work related stress and mental health problems.

Whether you are just starting out in your career as a junior doctor or have been working for the last 20 years, everyone can be susceptible to periods of stress and fatigue.

Sadly, the Office for National Statistics (ONS) revealed that 430 doctors took their own lives between 2011 and 2015, which equates to just over 2 suicides a week. This shocking statistic highlights the stress that the doctor community faces and the devasting consequences when intervention does not happen in time.

Mental health problems within healthcare professionals can be attributed to a number of issues, the most common being burnout and work-related stress. These can be characterised by:

  • Emotional exhaustion (with slow/no recovery)
  • Reduced personal accomplishment and self-doubt
  • Depersonalisation and emotional withdrawal from professional (and personal) relationships

In October 2018 the Society of Occupational Medicine reported that UK doctors are at a greater risk of work-related stress and/or burnout than the general population. The report found:

  • 30 -55% of doctors found were emotionally exhausted
  • 17 -45% reported withdrawing from both personal and professional relationships
  • 6-40% doubting their ability and experiencing low personal accomplishment.

The stigma around this issue must be broken. Doctors need to feel secure enough to openly discuss when they are struggling without shame or fear of repercussion.

In a profession which looks after and treats everyone else first, it’s vital to ask the same questions you would ask your patients. This can start simply with a “self check-in” – how are you feeling today?

Signs and symptoms to look out for:

  • Feeling tired and drained most of the time, despite adequate rest
  • Change in appetite or sleeping habits
  • Reduced immunity
  • Sense of failure
  • Doubting your ability
  • Feeling helpless or defeated
  • Feeling detached
  • Loss of motivation
  • Decreased satisfaction and sense of accomplishment
  • Isolating yourself from others
  • Increasingly cynical and negative outlook
  • Taking longer to get things done
  • Cynicism and a negative attitude towards your patients and co-workers
  • Short temper/shorter fuse than normal
  • Skipping work or coming in late and leaving early
  • Using food, drugs, or alcohol as a coping mechanism

If you, or anyone that you know are struggling with your mental health, please seek help or take a look at some of the resources below:

 

The British Medical Association (BMA) offers free, confidential advice and support to doctors and medical students and are open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week

Phone number: 0330 123 1245

Website:  https://www.bma.org.uk/advice/work-life-support/your-wellbeing/counselling-and-peer-support

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

NHS GP Health is a confidential service for GPs and GP trainees in England offering support for issues relating to mental health including stress, depression and addiction. The service is available 8am – 8pm Monday to Friday and 8am – 2pm Saturday

Email: gp.health@nhs.net

Phone: 0300 0303 300

Website: https://gphealth.nhs.uk/

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

NHS Practitioner Health Programme (PHP) is a free and confidential NHS service for doctors and dentists with issues relating to mental health. They are open 8am – 8pm Monday to Friday and 7.30am – 2.30pm on Saturday.

Phone: 0203 049 4505

Website: https://php.nhs.uk/

Self referral form: https://www.smartsurvey.co.uk/s/YQ74V/

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

DocHealth is a confidential, not for profit, psychotherapeutic consultation service for all doctors, visit: https://www.dochealth.org.uk/

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Samaritans are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Call 116 123.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Mind can offer free advice and support on their website and put you in touch with your local services, visit: https://www.mind.org.uk

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

HOPELineUK offer support, practical advice and information to young people considering suicide and advice if you are concerned about someone you know. Call 0800 068 41 41