Let’s talk about the tough stuff

“I’m fine” is a common answer we hear when we ask someone how they’re doing – a friend, a family member, a colleague, a patient. But far too often, even though they may look fine on the outside, behind this general reply is actually someone who’s not fine. According to the Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA), one in five Canadians will experience some sort of mental health issue in their lifetime – likely affecting someone you know or perhaps even yourself. 

This week, May 1st – May 5th, marks the CMHA’s 66th annual Mental Health Week aimed at promoting mental health, and supporting those with mental illness. It’s an important campaign not only because it helps raise awareness about mental health, but also because it chips away at the discrimination and stigma that often go hand in hand when talking about mental illness. Mental Health Week is all about promoting conversations – to encourage Canadians to talk more openly and honestly about how they feel, and to dig deeper than the surface of “I’m fine,” something we as physicians should be doing regularly with our patients. 

But how can we support our patients if we aren’t fine ourselves? Statistics show that the rates of physician burnout, and sadly physician suicide, are shockingly high, yet more often than not the stigma still existing around mental illness prevents us from seeking the help we need. So who helps when the doctor needs help? In BC we’re very fortunate to have one of the best physician health programs in the world – called just that, the Physician Health Program (PHP). The PHP provides professional counselling and medical support for physicians to help with mental health issues, burnout, relationship stress, workplace conflicts, and much more. 

This testament from a physician who recently received help from the PHP sums it up best: “It’s ironic in some ways that every day we ask our patients to trust us – to trust another person, to be open, to be honest and to be vulnerable. And I think as physicians, we need to learn to do that because if we don’t, we actually can’t do a good job of taking care of our patients.” 

It can be scary admitting you need help, even scarier to reach out and ask for it. Fear of being discovered – of someone, perhaps a patient or colleague, finding out – is common. However, every physician and family member who contacts the PHP is assured of complete confidentiality, and that in itself can make one feel safe.  

So this Mental Health Week, I encourage every one of you to take a moment and check in with yourself and then perhaps check in with a colleague. If “I’m fine” isn’t working for you, check out the PHP website. And if you need to talk, someone at the PHP is available to you 24-hours/day, seven days a week. 

The Physician Health Program is there to help you be the best, healthiest and most resilient person you can be – for yourself, for your family, and for your patients.