National Physician Suicide Awareness Day
As you stand ready to help any patient that comes through the ED doors, being an emergency physician already carries with it a unique set of stressors that can eventually take a toll. The coronavirus pandemic has placed “unprecedented strains on the health care workforce” bringing with it new, sometimes unforeseen, concerns. As a result, the well-being of our emergency physicians is more important than ever!

National Physician Suicide Awareness (NPSA) Day, created by the Council of Emergency Medicine Residency Directors (CORD), in collaboration with AAEM, ACEP, ACOEP, EMRA, RSA, RSO and SAEM, serves to commemorate colleagues lost to suicide and to raise awareness about mental wellness internally and externally by shedding a light on it. This year, creating awareness is more relevant than ever.
Here are some Ways to Create Awareness:
Create a safe, supportive work environment
  • Sometimes the best support can come from those who know exactly what you’re going through each day.
  • Sharing your story can help others feel more comfortable about sharing theirs.
  • Be vulnerable and be a role model for your colleagues and trainees. 
Find out what resources are available
ACEP’s Wellness & Assistance Program offers ACEP members exclusive access to three free counseling or wellness sessions in partnership with Mines & Associates. Sessions are available 24/7 by phone, text or online messaging, or you can schedule a face-to-face appointment near your office, home or school.
Find some time for Self-Care
"Do you recognize your stress warnings? Take some time to learn your personal triggers, then work on ways to help reduce them. Start with a two-minute “breath break” to help refocus before reengaging."
- Rene Mack, MD, RDMS
FCEP Membership & Professional Development Co-Chair
2020 Articles, Podcasts, and More...
Learn More about #NPSAday
"Physician suicide is a tremendous issue in healthcare today. While estimates of the actual number of physician suicides vary, literature has shown that the relative risk for suicide being 2.27 times greater among women and 1.41 times higher among men versus the general population. Each physician suicide is a devastating loss affecting everyone - family, friends, colleagues and up to 1 million patients per year."

Florida College of Emergency Physicians |www.fcep.org