Facts

Each year in the U.S., roughly 300 to 400 physicians die by suicide.

• Given that a typical doctor has about 2,300 patients, under his or her care, that means more than a million Americans will lose a physician to suicide this year. (Physician Suicide 101 by Pamela Wible.)
• Depression is much higher than in the general population.
• Present Cause of Stress
  • Herculean tasks are facing the profession
  • Strenuous expectations.
  • Onerous bureaucracy.
  • Change in the doctor-patient relationship.
  • Cost containment with an increase in practice overhead cost.
  • A new trend to criminalize actions.