National Physician Suicide Awareness Day: Turning awareness into action

Sept. 17, 2025, marks the eighth observance of National Physician Suicide Awareness Day. It is a day dedicated to honoring the lives of physicians lost to suicide and to highlighting the urgent need for mental health support within the medical profession. While awareness of the issue is growing, rates of burnout and depression continue to be stubbornly high among physicians and medical students. Alarmingly, an estimated 300-400 physicians die from suicide each year. Medical students are also three times more likely to die of suicide compared to the general population. These statistics indicate a systemic issue in medicine that needs to be addressed.

One major step forward in addressing this crisis was the 2022 passage of the Dr. Lorna Breen Health Care Provider Protection Act, a law to support health workers’ mental health and well-being. The AOA helped get the law passed; since then, the law has taken steps to prevent physician burnout and improve the systems in which health workers are educated, trained and practicing. Efforts are currently underway to get the Lorna Breen Act reauthorized for another five years.

In addition, a growing number of organizations are recognizing the need for longitudinal mental health resources for clinicians and health care systems. The information below highlights key mental health resources available to medical professionals at any stage of their journey. These consistent and accessible resources can help physicians and medical students prioritize their health, develop healthy coping mechanisms and seek help before they reach a crisis point.

Peer support & connection

The unique stress and challenges that come with working in the medical field can lead to feelings of loneliness and professional isolation. These resources create spaces for physicians and medical students to support one another.

• PeerRxMed: A free peer support program that pairs physicians with accountability partners for regular check-ins. It is designed to combat burnout and isolation by encouraging mutual support and connection.
• Physician Support Line: A free and confidential service that provides peer support for physicians and medical students. Available Monday to Friday, it is run by volunteer psychiatrists who understand what it’s like to be in the medical profession. This resource is helpful for anyone in need of immediate support and guidance.
• IDAA: IDAA is a worldwide organization dedicated to supporting healthcare workers and their families who are in recovery from substance use disorder. It is a fellowship of over 9,900 members, and membership is open to both healthcare professionals and students.
• The Emotional PPE Project: A nonprofit organization that connects healthcare workers in need of mental health support with volunteer licensed therapists. It offers confidential emotional support at no cost. The organization’s mission is to eliminate the barriers to mental health care and promote emotional well-being among medical professionals.

Educational well-being resources

Long-term wellness in medicine requires systemic change as well as individual support. These programs offer resources for personal well-being as well as education and support for medical schools and healthcare systems.

• AOA Wellness Toolkit: Designed for all stages of training and practice, the AOA Wellness Toolkit shares resources on wellness, mental health and sustaining a fulfilling medical career.
• Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) resources: The ACGME provides a variety of resources and tools to promote the mental and emotional well-being of individuals in graduate medical education. It offers resources for burnout management, mental health screenings, suicide prevention and more.
• American Medical Association (AMA) Steps Forward: This program provides evidence-based toolkits, CME-accredited modules, podcasts and other resources to help improve both physician well-being and patient care. It offers resources at both the individual and organizational levels to help create lasting change.
• American Psychiatric Association (APA) resources: The APA offers a toolkit on improving well-being and decreasing rates of depression among physicians at the institutional level. It also provides resources for individuals dealing with burnout.
• American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP) resources: The AFSP offers crisis resources for healthcare professionals and programs to support suicide prevention in the medical community. It also offers support for those who have lost someone to suicide.

Webinars & on-demand content

The American Osteopathic Information Association (AOiA) webinars provide expert guidance on mental health topics to help physicians and students navigate challenges and thrive in their personal and professional lives. In addition to offering support and solutions, these AOiA webinars serve as opportunities to earn CME. 

• Your Inner Well: Cultivating Resilience: Stephanie White, DO, shares the Inner Well framework to help physicians avoid burnout and cultivate growth.
• The Plight of a Pedestaled Physician: Prostration and My Path to Resilience: Nora Nneka Ekeanya, DO, reflects on the social and economic challenges shaping modern medicine, as well as her personal journey with mental health.
• The Stigma of Mental Health: Michael Foti, DO, examines the stigma surrounding mental health in medicine, shares his own experience and offers strategies to prevent burnout during residency and throughout a medical career.

These and more physician wellness-related webinars are available on the AOiA website.

Crisis & suicide prevention resources

These crisis services are available for anyone in need of immediate support.

• 988 Lifeline: A free, confidential service for people in need of crisis management or emotional support. It is available 24/7/365 through phone, text or chat.
• Crisis Text Line: A confidential text-based resource that connects users with trained crisis counselors. The text line can be contacted by texting HOME to 741741.
• Find A Helpline: A global directory of verified crisis lines in over 130 countries. This resource helps connect people with the best helpline for their situation. It is a useful resource for any physician or medical student in need of support while traveling abroad.

Breaking the stigma

The conversation around mental health in medicine is evolving, but there is still significant work that needs to be done to dismantle the stigma and create an environment in which seeking help is normalized. By using the tools and resources outlined above, medical students and physicians can prioritize their mental well-being and build a healthier, more sustainable career in medicine.

If you are or someone you know is experiencing a mental health crisis, there are resources available now:

• You can seek immediate help in an emergency room or dial the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 988
• The national crisis text line can be reached by texting HOME to 741741
• The Physician Support Line, a free, confidential support service run by volunteer psychiatrists, is available Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 11 p.m. ET, at (888) 409-0141

Related reading:

Physicians and mental health: We’re making progress, but there’s still work to be done

How burnout taught me to listen to my body

Overcoming obstacles as a medical student: A journey of resilience

Confronting burnout and moral injury in medicine