In recognition of National Suicide Prevention Month in September and National Physician Suicide Awareness Day on September 17, Donaldo Hernandez, M.D., President of the California Medical Association (CMA), issued the following statement:

“The national epidemic of suicide effects all ages and socioeconomic groups, including physicians and physicians in training who die by suicide at twice the rate of the general population. The long hours and difficult working conditions coupled with barriers to wellness and the stigma that exists around seeking out treatment, mean that too many physicians and medical students are suffering in silence.

"As physicians, we can often be so focused on caring for our patients that we forget to do the same for ourselves.

"National Physician Suicide Awareness Day is a great opportunity for physicians and those around them to normalize and encourage discussing mental health and seeking help when we need it. It helps us refocus on wellness with the profession.

"Physicians put themselves on the front lines every day- combatting disease, caring and advocating for patients, and laboring long hours to assure the health of the communities that they serve. We must continue to work collectively to dismantle barriers in receiving assistance and break down stigma to truly protect our health care heroes.”

Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Resources

• American Medical Association: Preventing Physician Suicide
• National Physician Suicide Awareness Day: Toolkit and Success Stories