When doctors can’t save their own lives

A new documentary film will be airing next month on local televisions. It is entitled “Struggling in Silence”. This film explores the dark side of one of the most rewarding professions - Doctor.

Based on what most people can see, doctors are rich and almost everyone looks up to them. What most people do not see however, is the fact that doctors have the highest rate of suicide of any profession. Every year, 300-400 physicians decide to end their own lives.

Dr. Charles Reynolds said that the real culprit is the undiagnosed and untreated depression. Most physicians do not admit that they are depressed. It will all just blurt out and without them knowing it, they are already taking their lives away. Most of the depressed doctors do not seek treatment because they worry that people may lose their respect, referrals and some even worry that they may lose their income and licenses.

Doctors have legal access to lethal drugs and they absolutely know how to use them. Some even engage in substance - abuse which is a major risk factor for suicide.

The movie itself aims to raise awareness that there is a problem going on and hopefully, it would prevent further damage to the population of doctors. This way, they will be taught how to recognize depression in themselves and hopefully, when they already know how to recognize it, they will be able to recognize depression in their patients as well.