Today, Sept. 17, is National Physician Suicide Awareness Day (#NPSADay). #NPSADay is a reminder and a call to action to make time to talk – and to act – so physicians’ struggles don’t become mental health emergencies.

The Colorado Medical Society is proud to take action to prevent physician suicide by sharing resources to help improve physician wellbeing, including suicide prevention resources, tips for starting important conversations about mental health, a crisis management plan and more.

Today, help us recognize #NPSADay by visiting NPSADay.org and learn how you can take action. We must shift the current practice landscape to better support a culture of wellbeing and come together to take the necessary actions to reduce burnout, safeguard job satisfaction, remove barriers to seeking mental health services and de-stigmatize seeking these services.

There are seven actions to help reduce physician burnout and ensure physicians’ struggles don’t become mental health emergencies.

• Learn the Vital Signs
• Encourage mental health reflection
• Share suicide prevention resources
• Prepare before a moment in crisis
• Check in with a physician
• Remove intrusive mental health questions
• Create a culture of wellbeing

Take action today! Everyone has a role in reducing physician suicide, and you can learn about yours at NPSADay.org.