The Suicide Rate Among Female Physicians is Higher Than You Think
A recent study published in JAMA Psychiatry has confirmed a troubling trend: female physicians in the U.S. face a significantly higher risk of suicide compared to women in the general population. From 2017 to 2021, female doctors had a 53% higher suicide rate than their non-physician counterparts, Meanwhile, their male counterparts—who also endure the relentless demands of medicine—actually have lower suicide rates than men in other professions.
The study analyzed suicide deaths among 448 physicians and 97,467 non-physicians across 30 U.S. states and Washington, D.C. Researchers found that physicians who died by suicide were more likely to have experienced depression, job-related stress, and legal issues than non-physicians. Female doctors, in particular, seem to bear a unique burden, facing systemic gender inequities, workplace stress, and barriers to seeking mental health support.
One of the biggest challenges is the stigma surrounding mental health in medicine. Physicians often fear that seeking help could jeopardize their careers, licensure, or professional reputation. This leads to silent suffering, where doctors—especially women—continue working under immense pressure until it becomes unbearable. Researchers are calling for targeted suicide prevention efforts, including anonymous mental health screenings, improved workplace policies, and cultural shifts within medicine to make seeking help safe and stigma-free.
Despite the growing number of women in medicine, the underlying culture hasn’t changed. The statistics speak for themselves, but the real stories remain hidden...Read More
If you take a step back and look at it objectively, do you really notice when your colleagues are distressed? What signs do you see but rarely talk about?
