California joins nationwide movement to destigmatize physician mental health

Medical Economics October 10, 2024
Dayna Isaacs, MD, MPH

Key Takeaways

• California’s licensure application now encourages mental health treatment without disciplinary repercussions, reducing stigma for physicians.
• The mental health crisis in the medical profession predates COVID-19, with high rates of depression, burnout, and suicide among physicians.
• Fear of professional consequences has historically deterred physicians from seeking mental health support, despite the critical need.
• Recent legislative changes in California align with over 20 states, fostering a supportive culture for physicians’ mental health care.

The path to becoming a doctor equips us with the tools to diagnose and treat diseases, but it does not prepare us to cope with the relentless exposure to death and suffering. Physicians try to compartmentalize and keep going, even when the weight of our...

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