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Life + Career Mental Health Toolkit Burnout, Depression & Suicide

Burnout, Depression & Suicide

Resource guide

Recognizing burnout, depression & suicidal ideation

Understanding the challenges that medical professionals face at every career stage is essential to recognizing mental health risks and seeking timely, confidential support.

Despite their dedication to healing others, medical professionals at every stage of their training and career face immense systemic pressures that put them at severe risk for burnout, depression and suicidal ideation.

From the high academic pressures experienced in medical school to the exhausting work hours of residency and the heavy administrative burdens carried by attending physicians, systemic stressors can gradually erode well-being and sense of purpose. Recognizing the common warning signs—such as chronic emotional exhaustion, depersonalization and social withdrawal—is essential for early intervention.

Seeking confidential support is a vital act of self-care and professional resilience, ensuring that no medical professional has to navigate these challenges alone.

Well-being at every career stage

Attending physicians

Why they’re at risk

  • Administrative and EHR burden
  • Productivity and performance pressures
  • Leadership isolation
  • Malpractice concerns or adverse events
  • Personal life stressors accumulating over time

Common warning signs

  • Chronic emotional exhaustion labeled as “just tired”
  • Growing cynicism or irritability
  • Withdrawal from colleagues or leadership roles
  • Increased substance use
  • Statements like “Everyone would be better off without me” or “Nothing I do matters anymore”

What burnout can look like

  • Loss of meaning or joy in work
  • Detachment from patients or colleagues
  • Feeling ineffective despite experience

What helps

  • Peer-to-peer support (often most effective)
  • Confidential care outside one’s own institution
  • Addressing licensure and credentialing fears directly

You don’t have to carry this alone—and help can remain confidential.

Residents & fellows

Why they’re at risk

  • Long work hours and sleep deprivation
  • Intense responsibility with limited autonomy
  • Exposure to death, errors and moral distress
  • Fear of repercussions related to program status or licensure

Common warning signs

  • Emotional numbness or cynicism toward patients
  • Increased errors or near-misses
  • Irritability, detachment or absenteeism
  • Escalating alcohol or substance use
  • Statements like “I can’t keep doing this” or “There’s no way out”

What burnout can look like

  • Emotional exhaustion
  • Depersonalization
  • Feeling ineffective or trapped

What helps

  • Talk early with someone you trust, like a chief resident, faculty mentor or peer
  • Use protected time for appointments when available
  • Clarify confidentiality protections before seeking care

Seeking help does not make you weak or unfit for medicine.

Medical students

Why they’re at risk

  • High academic pressure and constant evaluation
  • Identity development and imposter syndrome
  • Financial stress and debt
  • Fear that seeking help will affect residency prospects

Common warning signs

  • Persistent anxiety or sadness lasting >2 weeks
  • Social withdrawal from classmates
  • Sleep or appetite changes
  • Perfectionism mixed with shame or hopelessness
  • Statements like “I don’t belong here” or “I’ve ruined everything”

What burnout can look like

  • Emotional exhaustion
  • Detachment or cynicism during clinical work
  • Loss of meaning or motivation

What to do if you’re struggling

  • Talk to campus counseling services (confidential, usually separate from academic files)
  • Reach out to a trusted faculty advisor or peer
  • Use anonymous or confidential supports listed on this page

Asking for help is a sign of professionalism, not weakness.

Help is available

Immediate help & confidential support

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