Doctors in Distress is a British charity established in 2019 with a primary mission to reduce the prevalence of burnout and suicides among healthcare professionals in the United Kingdom. The organisation's inception was a response to the tragic suicide of Dr Jagdip Sidhu, a highly regarded cardiologist, in November 2018.[1][2] This event deeply impacted his brother, Amandip Sidhu, who founded the charity. Doctors in Distress is dedicated to raising awareness of the significant pressures faced by medical practitioners and fostering more compassionate and supportive work environments where healthcare professionals can openly discuss challenges such as stress and mental health.[3]

The organisation offers various services, including webinars, workshops, and facilitated peer support groups where healthcare professionals can openly discuss the emotional impact of their work and seek support from their peers in a safe, judgment free environment.[4][5]

Doctors in Distress actively raises awareness of mental health challenges in the medical field and advocates for cultural changes within the National Health Service (NHS) to combat the stigma surrounding mental health. It works to influence decision makers to prioritise positive transformational change to provide robust mental health support for healthcare workers.

BAFTA awarding winning author and former doctor Adam Kay joined the organisation as a patron in 2023, bringing further attention to the cause through his bestselling book and advocacy for mental well-being in the medical field.

In Adam Kay’s Book This is Going to Hurt the storyline follows a doctor who dies by suicide and a subsequently a memorial tree planted for her. This fictitious memorial tree planting inspired Adam Kay and Doctors in Distress to launch a National Memorial Tree Planting Campaign in UK hospital trust gardens to remember all healthcare workers who have died by suicide and to represent a commitment to human not heroic leadership.

Dame Clare Gerada is patron of the charity,[6][7][8] and trustee board that includes Anna Soubry and Chaand Nagpaul.

Through its advocacy, support services, and commitment to changing the culture surrounding mental health in the NHS, the charity plays a pivotal role in safeguarding the mental health of those dedicated to caring for others.

The suicide rate among doctors is estimated at between two and five times higher than for the general population.[9]

By 2022 Doctors in Distress had assisted more than 2,500 healthcare professionals.[10]

References

  1. ↑ "British Cardiovascular Society". www.bcs.com. Retrieved 6 June 2020.
  2. ↑ "Beachy Head medic gets hearty tribute". Mirror. 14 December 2018. Retrieved 13 December 2022 – via PressReader.
  3. ↑ "Doctor brother's death pushes Watford NHS suicide campaigner". Watford Observer. 9 October 2022. Retrieved 7 November 2022.
  4. ↑ "Doctors in Distress". www.facebook.com. Retrieved 6 June 2020.
  5. ↑ Sidhu, Amandip (6 June 2020). "Amandip Sidhu talks about Doctors in Distress and the need for psychological PPE". You Tube.
  6. ↑ "Doctors In Distress – A charity dedicated to protecting mental health and stopping suicides in health professionals". Retrieved 6 June 2020.
  7. ↑ "Charity overview". apps.charitycommission.gov.uk. Retrieved 6 June 2020.
  8. ↑ "Contact and trustees". apps.charitycommission.gov.uk. Retrieved 6 June 2020.
  9. ↑ Gerada, Clare (1 May 2018). "Doctors, suicide and mental illness". BJPsych Bulletin. Retrieved 7 November 2022.
  10. ↑ Lilley, Roy (7 November 2022). "Need help..." NHS Managers.net. Retrieved 7 November 2022.
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