Yesterday afternoon another young doctor jumped to her death in NYC. She landed at the entrance of the building where she lived.
Within less than an hour, I received the following emails about her. All published with permission.
“Hello Pamela, I am not a doctor,
…
Sometimes there are no words.
Not even a eulogy.
Then one courageous family writes this obituary. [This obituary was written by Rachel Dawson, his wife, with the blessing of his parents] In it they share how their son lost his battle with severe depression.
…
Dr. Jon Azkue dies by suicide and media reports his death as an “inconvenience to patients.” He’s treated as if he is guilty of a crime. No sympathy. No sadness for the loss of a man who dedicated his entire life to helping others. I contacted ABC News to express my concern about slandering and dishonoring this caring physician.
…
Dr. Kat Lopez: “Today I’d like to share with you some words used by the medical-industrial complex to blame doctors for the problems—including human rights abuses—that they are perpetrating upon these poor enslaved employees.
These words include burnout—blaming the victim who is enduring human rights abuse on a daily basis.
…
Article featured in The Washington Post and Chicago Tribune.
Five years ago today I was at a memorial. Another suicide. Our third doctor in 18 months.
Everyone kept whispering, “Why?”
I was determined to find out.
So I started counting dead doctors.
…
This week a distraught mother calls me about her son. His professor (at a US med school) repeatedly tells medical students they are “too stupid to be doctors and should kill themselves.”
A physician friend shares that the same guy tells his internal medicine residents weekly (for 3 years!) that they are stupid and “should kill themselves.” Even bullies other instructors.
…
This FREE audiobook of Physician Suicide Letters—Answered, read by the author Dr. Pamela Wible, is dedicated to all medical students, to every child who has ever dreamed of being a doctor, and to all those who have lost their lives in pursuit of healing others.
…
Dear Dr. Wible,
As you know I lost my son Sean Petro on Mother’s Day 2016 but he wasn’t found until two days later.
From the moment Sean was found by USC/Keck police in his apartment I have been treated by his medical school like a person with no feelings.
…
Do depressed doctors go to doctors? Do they even seek help? What do depressed doctors do when they’re not helping you? Doctors have affairs. They drink alcohol and smoke pot. They steal prescription medications. They binge-eat crap, scream, and exercise obsessively. Depressed doctors contemplate suicide. They hide their feelings to prevent being punished by licensing boards or mistreated by “Physician Health Programs.” Fact: depression is an occupational hazard in medicine.
…
Dear Dr. Wible,
I lost my beautiful son Evan to suicide four weeks ago. He was a second year internal medicine resident—a very smart, loving and funny man! He left a lengthy letter and in it he stated, “I do not want any attention drawn to this.” I have been crying all day reading your book and blog and I’ve seen the trailer of the film you all are making.
…
Jon Azkue, a Chicago-area doctor, died by suicide just before completing his training. I first reported his death a few years ago. This is a follow-up story on his suicide. What really happened to Dr. Azkue? And why? In this podcast I break the silence on one doctor’s suicide.
…
In this podcast, I share insights from a doc who barely survived his suicide attempt plus simple ways to prevent the next suicide. Listen in. You may save a life.
Dear Pamela, I’ve never been so happy to fail at something in my life.
…
How long could you drive without dozing off? Maybe 8 hours? Possibly 10? How many hours do you think a long-haul trucker could drive without swerving into your lane? Would you ever want an 80,0000 pound rig coming at you with a guy behind the wheel who hadn’t slept in a day?
…
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jmy3FLtKp7U
This week a resident asked, “What do you say to suicidal physicians?” Great question! For an expanded version of the three simple things I say to suicidal physicians (applies to anyone who is suicidal), please listen to my podcast here and download MP3 for future reference:
1) I don’t say anything.
…
Doctor revived after suicide. Here's what he says.
