Employee Survival Guide®
The Employee Survival Guide® is an employment law podcast only for employees about everything related to work and your career. We will share with you all the employment law information your employer and Human Resources does not want you to know about working and guide you through various work and employment law issues. This is an employee podcast.
The Employee Survival Guide® podcast is hosted by seasoned Employment Law Attorney Mark Carey, who has only practiced in the area of Employment Law for the past 29 years. Mark has seen just about every type of employment law and work dispute there is and has filed several hundred work related lawsuits in state and federal courts around the country, including class action suits. He has a no frills and blunt approach to employment law and work issues faced by millions of workers nationwide. Mark endeavors to provide both sides to each and every issue discussed on the podcast so you can make an informed decision. Again, this is a podcast only for employees.
Subscribe to our employee podcast show in your favorite podcast app including Apple Podcasts and Spotify.
You can also subscribe to our feed via RSS or XML.
If you enjoyed this episode of the Employee Survival Guide ® please like us on Facebook, X and LinkedIn. We would really appreciate if you could leave a review of this employee podcast on your favorite podcast player such as Apple Podcasts and Spotify. Thank you!
For more information, please contact Carey & Associates, P.C. at 203-255-4150, or email at info@capclaw.com.
Also go to our website EmployeeSurvival.com for more helpful information about work and working.
Employee Survival Guide®
Dr. Carrie Cunningham's Story: When Healers Need Healing: Mental Health Awareness
Use Left/Right to seek, Home/End to jump to start or end. Hold shift to jump forward or backward.
Comment on the Show by Sending Mark a Text Message.
Have you ever considered the hidden struggles behind the white coats of our nation's surgeons? In this eye-opening episode of Employee Survival Guide®, Mark Carey confronts the staggering reality of mental health and mental health awareness in the medical profession, where a shocking 15% of surgeons have contemplated suicide at some point in their careers. As we peel back the layers of success and achievement, we uncover the immense pressures that often lead to internal crises, highlighting the urgent need for change in workplace culture. Join Mark as he delves into the poignant insights shared by Dr. Carrie Cunningham during her powerful presidential address to the Association for Academic Surgery, where she bravely opened up about her own battles with depression and substance use disorder. This candid discussion serves as a vital reminder of the importance of mental health awareness and support systems in the surgical field.
As we navigate through the complexities of mental health challenges, we tackle the stigma that surrounds seeking help, particularly in high-stakes professions like surgery. The episode emphasizes the critical role of peer support and the necessity for cultural change within the medical community. Mark explores actionable takeaways that can empower surgeons and healthcare professionals alike, advocating for robust physician mental health awareness programs and open conversations about mental well-being.
In a world where employee rights are often overlooked, particularly in high-pressure environments, this episode serves as a clarion call for employee empowerment and advocacy. The discussion extends beyond the surgical suite, touching on broader employment issues such as workplace discrimination, hostile work environments, and the pressing need for reasonable accommodations in all fields. By addressing these pressing employment law issues, we aim to equip listeners with the knowledge and tools necessary for navigating work disputes and understanding their rights in the workplace.
Whether you are a physician, a healthcare worker, or someone interested in workplace culture, this episode of Employee Survival Guide® is a must-listen. Tune in to discover how we can collectively work towards a healthier, more supportive environment for all employees. Let’s break the silence around mental health and champion a culture where seeking help is not just accepted but encouraged. Join us in this crucial conversation—because every employee deserves to thrive, not just survive.
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline
If you enjoyed this episode of the Employee Survival Guide please like us on Facebook, X and LinkedIn.
We would really appreciate if you could leave a review of this podcast on your favorite podcast player such as Apple Podcasts and Spotify. Leaving a review will help other employees find the Employee Survival Guide.
For more information, please contact our employment attorneys at Carey & Associates, P.C. at 203-255-4150, www.capclaw.com.
Disclaimer: For educational use only, not intended to be legal advice.
Shocking Surgeon Suicide Statistics
Speaker 1OK, let's unpack this. It might surprise you to learn that surgeons well, the professionals we really rely on actually have the highest rate of suicide among physicians.
Speaker 2Yeah, it's. It's quite a stark statistic. There was a study back in 2011, I think.
Speaker 1That's the one it highlighted that get this 15 percent reported considering suicide at some point in their career.
Speaker 2Fifteen percent, and wasn't it something like 6% just within that past year?
Speaker 1Exactly 6% in one year. When you hear a number like that, it really no. It makes you stop and think about the immense pressures people face.
Speaker 2Definitely, even people who seem incredibly successful on the surface.
Speaker 1It's a truly striking paradox, isn't it? These are individuals, you know, operating at the absolute peak of a demanding profession.
Speaker 2Top of their game.
Speaker 1Yet they're grappling with such profound internal struggles. It just begs the question what is it about this high stakes environment?
Speaker 2What is it that contributes to this reality?
Speaker 1That's exactly what we're diving into today. We want to explore the complex factors, the things contributing to these mental health challenges and surgery.
Speaker 2And also look at potential paths toward you know, support and change, real change.
Speaker 1Right and to really get under the skin of this, we're drawing on some pretty compelling material.
Speaker 2We are. We have the presidential address by Dr Carrie Cunningham Incredibly powerful and personal stuff.
Speaker 1Given to the Association for Academic Surgery right and thankfully there's a YouTube transcript available.
Dr. Cunningham's Courageous Personal Story
Speaker 2Yeah, which is great, and we're also weaving in insights from two articles that shed more light on this really serious issue of physician suicide.
Speaker 1So consider this your kind of streamlined guide. We want you to be well informed on this crucial topic.
Speaker 2And our aim is to go beyond just you know listing facts.
Speaker 1Right. We want to extract the core insights, understand the complexities underneath and hopefully identify some actionable takeaways.
Speaker 2So where do we start? How do we begin to unravel this?
Speaker 1Well, I think Dr Cunningham's address is a really compelling entry point, just because it's so rooted in her own lived experience.
Speaker 2Absolutely. I mean here's someone who achieved remarkable success by any conventional standard.
Speaker 1Totally Former top junior tennis player. Harvard professor of surgery.
Speaker 2Yeah, with significant research funding an R01 grant.
Speaker 1And president of the AAS, a major surgical association. The list is impressive.
Speaker 2It really is, and that's precisely what makes her story so well resonant.
Speaker 1Because, alongside all of that success, she bravely shared her own long-term battles.
Speaker 2Yeah, with depression, anxiety and also a substance use disorder.
Speaker 1That juxtaposition, her professional triumphs versus her personal challenges. It really forces us to confront that common misconception, doesn't it?
Speaker 2That outward success equals inner well-being. Yeah, absolutely.
Speaker 1And what's particularly noteworthy is the sheer courage it took for her to be so open.
Speaker 2Oh for sure she was fully aware of the potential risks, the professional repercussions of sharing something so personal on such a public stage.
Speaker 1And her motivation for taking that risk. It was incredibly powerful.
Speaker 2It really was. It seemed to stem from this profound desire to prevent others, her colleagues, from experiencing similar suffering.
Speaker 1And specifically to reduce suicide right Inspired by losing her friend Dr Christina Rae Berkeley.
Speaker 2Exactly that loss clearly had a huge impact.
Speaker 1And it's crucial to note, she acknowledged her own privilege even as she spoke.
Speaker 2She described herself as, I think, capable, free, white and with resources.
Speaker 1Right, and she explicitly recognized how much harder these struggles must be for others.
Speaker 2For medical students, residents, people without those advantages facing systemic barriers. That awareness adds real weight to her message.
Speaker 1It really does. Now, one of the key points she made and this feels really important was the need to move beyond terms like burnout or wellness, even Right, when we're actually talking about serious mental health crises.
Speaker 2That's such a vital distinction. She emphasized that, ok, burnout can contribute sure.
Beyond Burnout: Real Mental Health Issues
Speaker 1But it's often not the fundamental issue and the solutions aren't just, you know, more self-care.
Speaker 2No, she put it very directly, didn't she? Something like all the Peloton rides in the world are not going to make my depression go away.
Speaker 1Exactly, and she paints a pretty sobering picture of how these crises can develop.
Speaker 2Insidious progressive.
Speaker 1Yeah, creeping up over time until they reach a point where, tragically, the person might not even want help.
Speaker 2Or even believe their loved ones would be better off without them. It's just heartbreaking.
Speaker 1It really underscores the gravity, and the sources also highlight the concerning prevalence of substance use disorders among physicians.
Speaker 2Rates higher than the general population. Right we're on one in seven physicians.
Speaker 1Yeah, and this is linked sadly to that higher suicide rate we see in doctors.
Speaker 2And the data she cited from the American College of Surgeons survey.
Speaker 1Wow, just alarming 13% of surgeons reported suicidal thoughts in the past year 13% and 10% within the two weeks before the survey. Shocking, and what struck me was that these rates were even higher for certain groups.
Speaker 2Women residents and associate professors. I believe.
Speaker 1Exactly, those are key demographics, likely reflecting specific pressures within the system.
Speaker 2Yeah, and that pervasive fear of seeking help that came up again and again in the sources.
Speaker 1This massive obstacle fear of repercussions, fear of stigma.
Speaker 2Leading to really concerning behaviors like doctors writing their own prescriptions.
Speaker 1Or paying cash for therapy, going to other cities for treatment just to keep it secret.
Speaker 2It's this climate of secrecy and fear it seems so deeply entrenched.
Speaker 1And it's particularly troubling when you think about the training process itself.
Speaker 2Oh yeah, Dr Cunningham mentioned that study showing a third of interns develop clinical depression.
Speaker 1A third and it persists. It doesn't just go away after internship.
Speaker 2And with the added trauma many trainees face during COVID-19.
Speaker 1There's a real concern those trends could get worse.
Speaker 2Absolutely. Medical training is just inherently demanding Long hours, high stakes.
Speaker 1And often a culture that maybe implicitly values stoicism pushing through.
Speaker 2Right, and you combine that with any pre-existing vulnerabilities people bring.
Speaker 1Like that statistic she mentioned 45% of survey respondents had experienced serious trauma before medical training 45%, that's nearly half. Yeah.
Speaker 2It creates a potential perfect storm for mental health issues.
Solutions and Recovery Paths
Speaker 1So, okay, let's shift towards solutions. Dr Cunningham shared some really impactful lessons from her own journey.
Speaker 2She did, and the first one that really hit home was this fundamental principle Put health first.
Speaker 1Yeah, and it wasn't just about your health, it was a call to action for colleagues.
Speaker 2To look out for each other. Yeah, to step up if you think someone's struggling, even if it feels awkward.
Speaker 1Right Checking in showing up those simple acts can make a huge difference.
Speaker 2She really emphasized that someone's well-being when they're in crisis it just outweighs any professional concerns. And she acknowledged how uncomfortable intervening can be. Yeah, that the person might deny it. Get angry, pull away.
Speaker 1But her message was clear If you're genuinely concerned, act anyway, trust your gut.
Speaker 2Another critical lesson was about physician health programs, PHPs.
Speaker 1Right, she explained. They exist in every state, a vital resource for doctors facing crises, including substance use.
Speaker 2And it was interesting that she admitted she didn't even know about them before her own crisis.
Speaker 1Yeah, and she made a strong point challenging the common idea that they're just punitive.
Speaker 2Exactly. While patient safety is part of it, their main focus is also advocacy and support for the physician.
Speaker 1Helping prevent unnecessary reporting to licensing boards, guiding them to real treatment.
Speaker 2And the success rates she mentioned from Washington state were really encouraging Over 90 percent. No further board issues. 80 percent maintaining sobriety.
Speaker 1That's huge. It sounds like her own experience with the PHP, though maybe tough at first.
Speaker 2She perceived it as punitive initially.
Speaker 1yeah, but ultimately it was beneficial for her recovery, and she stressed that sobriety alone wasn't enough.
Speaker 2No. Addressing the underlying emotional pain was crucial.
Speaker 1And she was so open about her own diagnoses PTSD, persistent depressive disorder, substance abuse disorder.
Speaker 2That openness is just so important for destigmatization. Her third lesson was don't assume anything.
Speaker 1Right. Everyone has unique experiences, vulnerabilities, hidden values.
Speaker 2And that stat again 45% experiencing trauma before medical training. It really drives that point home the invisible burdens people carry.
Speaker 1It does, and her point about change being constant but growth being a choice.
Speaker 2Yeah, requiring patience and hard work, and also stating clearly depression is biological, it's an illness, not a character flaw.
Speaker 1Such a crucial message. Then her fourth lesson, about mastery through mistakes.
Speaker 2Ah yes, Challenging that ingrained culture of perfectionism in surgery.
Speaker 1This one really resonated the idea that you get better by learning from mistakes, not by trying to be flawless.
Speaker 2She talked about how that fear of failure, of losing, can be so destructive.
Speaker 1And those internalized bruises from that perfectionist culture.
Speaker 2Yeah, they stop people reaching out for help when they most need it.
Speaker 1And the emphasis on self-compassion really stood out.
Speaker 2Definitely that we're often kinder to others than ourselves.
Speaker 1And relying on external validation is just not sustainable in the long run.
Speaker 2Her fifth lesson linked recovery and identity. She broadened the definition of addiction.
Speaker 1Right Not just substances, but any behavior used to avoid vulnerability.
Speaker 2And recovery isn't just stopping the behavior, it's this whole process.
Speaker 1Self-reflection processing, trauma building, healthy coping skills, nurturing connections.
Speaker 2And consciously separating your professional identity from your personal worth. That's vital in a field like surgery.
Speaker 1Where the job can so easily become everything. Her point about reconnecting with other parts of life, other values, was powerful.
Lessons on Vulnerability and Connection
Speaker 2Then the sixth lesson authentic connection is everything. This really hit the core of that isolation many struggling physicians feel yeah, that loneliness.
Speaker 1She mentioned depression as maybe grief for lost connections.
Speaker 2And that connection itself is like an antidote to addiction and despair.
Speaker 1It's a stark reminder, isn't it? Caregivers feeling so isolated themselves.
Speaker 2And the impact of things like patient death, medical errors. They take a huge toll.
Speaker 1Which is why proactive peer support programs are so essential.
Speaker 2In her seventh lesson. Just listen, Such practical advice for supporting someone.
Speaker 1Being present, validating feelings, not jumping in to fix things.
Speaker 2Just simple human connection and knowing when to encourage professional help.
Speaker 1Her final lessons really packed a punch too. Feel the pain.
Speaker 2Yeah, that numbing emotions also limits joy and love turned towards discomfort.
Speaker 1Vulnerability isn't weakness, it's strength and hope. Hope requires action.
Speaker 2Goals plans, flexibility, perseverance, agency, all of that.
Speaker 1And exposing shame and fear reduces their power. Progress is slow but steady.
Speaker 2And she finished with a strong call for cultural change and advocacy.
Speaker 1We need open, honest conversations to tackle stigma and bias.
Speaker 2She pointed out the contradiction Difficulty accessing your own mental health records, yet pressure to disclose them.
Speaker 1And highlighted the Dr Lorna Breen Act as a vital step forward.
Speaker 2Creating safer environments for seeking help.
Speaker 1It was so important learning about Dr Breen herself the ER doc who died by suicide after working on the pandemic front lines Tragic.
Speaker 2And the foundation in her name is doing such crucial advocacy work now. So the consistent thread through all this material is that surgeons face a significantly higher risk of suicide compared to the general public and even other doctors.
Speaker 1The demanding work, sleep deprivation, high pressure, perfectionism yeah, it all adds up.
Speaker 2But that reluctance to seek help because of stigma and fear of consequences, that remains a critical barrier we have to break down.
Speaker 1It really paints a picture of a community committed to healing others, yet struggling with its own well-being.
Speaker 2Dr Cunningham's story, plus the broader data, just underscores the urgent need for a cultural shift.
Speaker 1A fundamental shift around mental health in the profession.
Speaker 2Absolutely Embracing vulnerability as strength, fostering connection as necessity, prioritizing mental health as well essential.
Call for Cultural Change
Speaker 1For the individual surgeon and for the health of the entire profession. Couldn't agree more so as we wrap up this deep dive. I'm thinking about the broader implications here. Yes, we focused on surgery.
Speaker 2But the pressures, the identity struggles, the fear of asking for help.
Speaker 1These themes resonate way beyond medicine, don't they? In many high stakes fields, maybe even in our own lives, For sure. So a final thought for you listening what small concrete step could you take today to maybe help foster a more supportive For sure?