Tag: medical student life

The Silent Crisis: Physician Suicide in the United States

I saw these magnets today on the refrigerator located in the physicians lounge and it seemed like a good reminder 

In the U.S., an estimated 300-400 physicians die by suicide each year, a staggering rate far higher than that of the general population. This crisis, largely unspoken in healthcare settings, underscores the immense pressures physicians face daily. The high expectations, long hours, emotional exhaustion, and the stigma around seeking mental health support create a dangerous environment where burnout can quickly spiral into severe mental health struggles.

Physicians are trained to endure, often putting others’ health before their own. But the costs of “pushing through” take a toll. Many feel they cannot safely reach out for help without risking their careers due to institutional stigma around mental health treatment. This cycle of isolation and suppressed emotion can lead to tragic outcomes.

Organizations are beginning to address this issue by implementing wellness programs, peer support systems, and confidential mental health resources, but more systemic changes are needed. Reducing the stigma around mental health support, reforming punitive policies, and fostering a culture of openness in medicine could be life-saving.

Physician suicide affects us all—it robs the healthcare system of dedicated professionals and leaves profound impacts on patients, families, and communities. It’s time to break the silence and actively support those who care for us.

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Tragic final words of doctor, 33, before he died by suicide

The tragic loss of a 33-year-old ophthalmology resident by suicide is a heartbreaking reminder of the immense pressures faced by those in the medical field. Residency, known for its intense demands and long hours, often leaves little room for self-care, mental health support, and the emotional toll that comes with caring for others. This devastating event highlights the urgent need for systemic changes in medical training and work environments, ensuring that mental health resources are accessible, stigma is reduced, and medical professionals receive the support they need. Our hearts go out to the family, friends, and colleagues affected by this tragedy.

As a doctor myself, I ask you—who hasn’t felt like they’re running on empty at one point or another during their training or career? The #burnout in this profession is as real as it gets. It can destroy your life, ruin time with your family, and, in the worst cases, end your life. Are we really the ones who are sick, or are we just products of a sick society? We need to do better for each other.

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Understanding Anxiety: My Personal Experience as a Medical Student

This reminds me a lot of the depression question. Patients often tell me, “Dr. Rossi, you don’t know what it’s like to be anxious.”

I usually have a quiet chuckle to myself because anxiety is something everyone experiences. It’s a natural part of life. We all have areas where we feel competent, and others where we feel out of our depth. It’s in those areas, the places where we feel uncertain or inadequate, that anxiety can really interfere with our ability to function.

My most challenging personal experience with anxiety happened during the infamous 4th term of medical school at St. George’s University. By this point, you’ve survived the first year and are well into the second. However, this term is notorious, and it often feels like the school uses it to weed out students—which, in my opinion, is a bit unethical. The structure of my routine completely changed. More requirements, longer lab hours, and less time to study. The familiar rhythm I had relied on to keep up was suddenly turned on its head.

Throughout that term, I was constantly on edge, overwhelmed by the pressure that all my hard work could slip away at any moment. I still vividly remember the first time I experienced a panic attack. It was early morning; I woke up drenched in sweat, my heart racing, and I couldn’t catch my breath. I was scared enough to go to the university clinic, and that’s when I found out it was a panic attack.

That experience taught me firsthand what anxiety truly feels like. It’s not just a fleeting worry—it can become physical, paralyzing, and all-consuming. When I talk to patients about anxiety, it’s from a place of understanding. Anxiety doesn’t discriminate, and it certainly doesn’t mean we’re incapable—just human.

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Guide To Viewing My Content

If you are new to the blog and my social media content, we should start with a brief introduction. 

My name is Dr. Garrett Rossi, I’m a medical doctor who specializes in adult psychiatry. I’m board certified by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology. I’ve practiced in multiple settings including inpatient, outpatient, partial care, assertive community treatment teams, and I provide ECT services.

I make mental health content on multiple social media platforms and each one has a specific style and type of content. 

Shrinks In Sneakers YouTube Click Here

This is where you can find the deep dives on mental health topics including medication reviews, psychiatric diagnosis, and various other topics. Videos can range anywhere from 5-20 minutes and time stamps are available in the descriptions for longer content. 

Shrinks In Sneakers Instagram Click Here:

This is where you can find shorter videos and posts on mental health topics. The focus on Instagram is more on mental health advocacy, and myths about psychiatry and mental illness. The content here is shorter but still has a lot of educational value. 

Shrinks In Sneakers LinkedIn:

This is where you can find more information about my professional activities. I have information about my advocacy work, professional memberships, publications, and is another good place to follow my work. I make frequent posts here as well. 

Shrinks In Sneakers Twitter: 

Here I’m not very active and haven’t spent much time but I do update blog posts and other relevant information here as well. 

If you have a question or want to get in touch with me, I am most active on YouTube, LinkedIn, and Instagram. 

We are building a community where empathy is a central part of the content. The goal is to make psychiatry more accessible, provide education, and reduce stigma associated with mental health treatment. 

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Shrinks In Sneakers Reunite: Bound by Love for Psychiatry

I think everyone needs a person in their medical training that they bond with and lean on during this difficult period. 

Medical training has its ups and downs, the process is filled with highest highs and the lowest lows. There were moments that I loved training and there were moments where I hated training. 

I was lucky enough to find a great person to share these experiences with.  

We spent many hours discussing psychiatry, what excited us about the field and what worried us about the future. We discussed difficult cases and the drama of residency training. If I ever needed help or someone to cover a call shift last minute, I knew who I could count on.

I could trust this person to have my back and I would do the same no matter what. 

 I would encourage anyone who is going through this process to find someone who can help them grow as both a physician and a person. 

It’s always comforting knowing we can all get by with a little help from our friends. 

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