When suicide hits close to home in the physician community, its impact can be devastating. The Texas Medical Association offers resources aimed at prevention.
Physician suicides occur at a rate similar to that of the general population, based on recent studies that explored data from the National Violent Death Reporting System. The COVID-19 pandemic has amplified the effects of stress, burnout, and distress among physicians.
To emphasize the importance of mental health treatment and prevention, TMA offers CME courses that are free for members, plus other resources to help physicians better deal with stressors:
- Break the Silence: Physician Suicide, a CME course available for ethics credit, addresses risk factors and warning signs.
- Overcoming Distress in Medicine, a CME course also available for ethics credit, helps physicians recognize sources of distress and adopt resources and strategies to cope with it.
- A variety of other physician health courses available in TMA’s Education Center tackle topics such as resilience, mental wellness during the COVID-19 pandemic, and occupational stress.
- Wellness plug-ins or toolkits, offered by TMA’s Committee on Physician Health and Wellness, provide personal assessments, inventories, live CME courses, and more.
In addition, TMA’s PBF Wellness Fund offers financial assistance to physicians who may need treatment for conditions that impact their ability to practice medicine.
Last Updated On
April 05, 2022
Originally Published On
September 16, 2021
Tammy Wishard
Account Manager, Division of Communications and Marketing
(512) 370-1470