National Physician Suicide Awareness Day sheds light on the critical issue of physician suicide and the urgent need for increased support across the health care industry. It is a call to action for everyone in the medical community to prioritize physician well-being and advocate for resources and support that help prevent physician burnout and suicide. Physicians often endure intense mental health challenges due to the rigorous demands of their profession, yet stigma often prevents them from seeking help. This day encourages open conversations about these challenges and promotes awareness to reduce stigma and improve mental health support systems for physicians. Addressing the elevated risk of suicide among physicians is vital, as their well-being directly impacts the quality of patient care.
Healthcare organizations across North Carolina are recognizing this and taking steps to implement comprehensive mental health programs, fostering a compassionate and supportive environment for their medical staff. The North Carolina Medical Society (NCMS), along with key stakeholders across the state, dedicate their efforts and resources to address clinician and physician stress and burnout through the North Carolina Clinician and Physician Retention and Well-being (NCCPRW) Consortium. This year the Consortium transitioned into a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization to further its mission and began a partnership with the Dr. Lorna Breen Heroes’ Foundation to launch the ALL IN: Caring for North Carolina’s Caregivers this April. “The partnership between the North Carolina Clinician and Physician Retention and Well-being (NCCPRW) Consortium and the Dr. Lorna Breen Heroes’ Foundation (DLBHF) is a significant step towards prioritizing the well-being of healthcare workers. Focusing on suicide prevention during September is crucial, and it’s heartening to see such initiatives being aligned with the quintuple aim, which emphasizes healthcare worker well-being.” shared Christina Bowen, MD, NCCPRW President, ECU Chief Well-being Officer, and dedicated NCMS member.
ALL IN: Caring for North Carolina’s Caregivers seeks to support the state’s hospitals and health systems in improving workplace policies and practices that reduce burnout, normalize help-seeking, and strengthen professional well-being—accelerating impact to improve North Carolinian health workers’ well-being and mental health. This work began through the establishment of the Dr. Lorna Breen Heroes’ Foundation in memory of Lorna Breen, a sister, a daughter, a friend, and a physician who died by suicide shortly after the COVID pandemic began. Dr. Lorna Breen had no prior mental health issues (known or suspected) and no history of depression or anxiety, but after contracting COVID herself, and returning to work in the NYC emergency department to an overwhelming number of severely sick patients and a lack of resources and help, she became so overworked and despondent that she was unable to move. Despite giving everything she had to care for her patients, she worried about the stigma associated with physician burnout and mental health struggles. She feared that seeking help could lead to professional consequences, a loss of respect, and jeopardize her career. This fear, experienced by many healthcare professionals, underscores the critical need for a culture shift in medicine where physician well-being is prioritized, and mental health support is readily available without fear of retribution. Lorna’s story serves as a powerful reminder of the urgent need for systemic changes to support healthcare professionals, ensuring they have the resources, support, and understanding they need to sustain both their mental and physical health.
The NCCPRW & DLBHF invite hospitals and health systems across the state to join us in prioritizing the mental health and well-being of North Carolina’s healthcare workforce. Click here to find more information about the ALL IN: C4NCC initiative.
Please contact Melissa Kenny to learn more.
