Physician suicide is a longstanding issue, with doctors contemplating ending their own lives as frequently as non-physicians. However, a recent survey of North Carolina doctors indicates the problem may be more severe than previously understood. Join Jean Fisher Brinkley and Dr. Joe Jordan, CEO of the North Carolina Professionals Health Program, as they discuss the alarming findings from NCPHP’s recent Suicidal Ideation Survey and explore solutions to address this critical issue.

 

 

Hosts and Guests

 

Jean Fisher Brinkley

Jean Fisher Brinkley
Communications Director, North Carolina Medical Board

Jean Fisher Brinkley is NCMB’s Communications Director, a role that involves developing and overseeing production of communications materials and strategies needed to enhance public and professional awareness and understanding of the Board and its mission. She joined NCMB in 2008, after an 11-year career in newspaper journalism, most of it dedicated to reporting on medicine, health policy and the business aspects of health care.

Brinkley earned a bachelor’s degree in English from Mills College in Oakland, CA, and a master’s degree in journalism from the University of California, Berkeley. She lives in Raleigh with her husband and two daughters.

You can reach Jean at [email protected]

Joseph P. Jordan, PhD

Joe Jordan, CEO for the NC PHP
Chief Executive Officer, North Carolina Professionals Health Program

Dr. Jordan brings more than 25 years of experience in the areas of substance abuse and mental health disorders to his role as NCPHP’s Chief Executive Officer. Prior to assuming this role in 2016, he worked at NCPHP for nine years, first as the Clinical Director before taking on the position of Executive Director.

Before joining NCPHP, Dr. Jordan was the Ethics Officer and Director of Special Projects for The National Board for Certified Counselors, served as clinical director for a long-term residential program, and provided emergency psychiatric evaluation services while completing his graduate degrees. Dr. Jordan has previously served on state and national committees and boards devoted to the study, development, and refinement of the field of substance abuse counseling. He earned his undergraduate degree in Psychology and graduate degrees in Counseling and Counseling Education from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro.

You can reach Dr. Jordan at: [email protected]


References

NCPHP Presentation: A Survey of Suicidal Behavior Among North Carolina Physicians: Using Data to Inform Interventions

QPR stands for Question, Persuade, and Refer — the 3 simple steps anyone can learn to help save a life from suicide. Find a variety of online training modules available at the QPR Institute.

Resources

Need Help Immediately?
Dial 911 or contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline by dialing 988 or 1-800-273-8255 or visit them online.

Help in North Carolina
NCPHP | North Carolina Physicians Health Program (NCPHP)
220 Horizon Drive
Suite 201
Raleigh, NC 27615-4928
Email [email protected]
Call (919) 870-4480

National Resources

  • Physician Support Line (Free, Confidential & Anonymous) Psychiatrists helping physician and medical student colleagues navigate the many intersections of their personal and professional lives. Call 1-888-409-0141.