November 9 Noon-time Forum to Discuss Physician Suicide

November 3, 2022

The MMA will host a physician forum at noon on Wednesday, November 9, titled, “The silent epidemic; the importance of suicide awareness in medicine.”  

Compared to the general population, male and female physicians are at a greater relative risk of suicide. It is estimated that 400 physicians in the U.S. die by suicide each year, likely related to the increase in stress and burnout.  

This forum, led by Michelle Chestovich, MD, will shine a light on the personal and professional consequences of physician depression and burnout, promote a broader discussion of why both are under-reported and undertreated, and share ideas about what we and our organizations can do right now to ensure our colleagues do not have to attempt to deal with substance abuse, depression, and suicidal thoughts alone. 

At the end of this activity, participants will be able to: 

• Articulate the personal and professional consequences of clinician burnout, including early departure of physicians from their jobs, increased odds of substance use, and increased risk of suicide.  

• Identify characteristics to look for in colleagues who may be at risk for suicide. 

• Identify and practice strategies to reduce factors that increase risk of suicide and increase factors that promote wellness. 

• Learn what we and organizations need to be doing to prevent clinician suicide.