APMA News - September/October 2021 - 10

We Need to Talk About
PHYSICIAN SUICIDE
PREVENTION
By APMA Trustee Patrick A. DeHeer, DPM
H
ave you ever had an experience that made you realize
you were a part of something profound? I had this
realization during the APMA 2021 Annual Scientific
Meeting (The National) in Denver, serving on the
panel to screen the documentary " Do No Harm " by Robyn
Symon. The documentary takes a critical look at physician
suicide. The panel discussion that followed the documentary
was moderated masterfully by John Evans, DPM.
The topic of physician suicide is often considered taboo and
swept under the carpet. However, in July 2019, a colleague and
attending faculty member of our residency program at Ascension
St. Vincent Indianapolis died by suicide. My colleague
called me on a Friday afternoon about some of the troubles he
was experiencing, asking for help. We talked for about an hour,
and I thought our conversation ended positively with practical
action steps to help. Tragically, the following Monday evening,
I was informed by our chief medical officer of my colleague's
suicide. The subsequent calls to our residents were some of the
most difficult calls I have ever made.
My mission became clear: Bring this tragedy to the forefront
of the podiatric profession to do everything possible to prevent
another colleague from death by suicide. My fellow trustees on
the APMA board and the APMA staff took to heart my request
to raise awareness and provide resources for those at risk. The
documentary screening and panel discussion were some of the
many action items APMA implemented.
I watched the documentary three times, preparing for the
panel discussion. It was an emotional event each time I
watched. Then I showed the documentary to our residents,
10 APMA News September/October 2021
students rotating through our program, and faculty. We discussed
the film afterward; it was a poignant discussion. In
my fifth viewing of the documentary in Denver, it still hit
me like a ton of bricks. Telling why I was on the panel was
difficult and emotional, but I knew my story was essential to
show physician suicide does not care about the letters after
your name.
John led the panel in a conversation with hopes of getting
the audience engaged. We wanted it to be an interactive session
with open and honest discussion. The audience's involvement
was heartfelt and genuine, far exceeding my expectations.
It felt like a community that cares about each
other, watches out for each other, checks on each other, lifts
each other up, and is always willing
to
listen with a
non-judgmental ear. Carrying that community bond out to
the entire profession is the next step. We must be our brothers'
and sisters' keepers to reverse this disturbing trend in
physician suicides. Our care for each other is the cornerstone
of prevention.
APMA provides substantial resources at www.apma.org/
wellbeing for those of us struggling and at risk. APMA has
taken the well-being of its members and all podiatric physicians
and made it an organizational priority. Well-being
and resiliency are critical components of suicide prevention.
I am proud to be an integral part of an organization
that takes its role seriously in caring about its members. If
you or one of your colleagues is at risk, please use these
resources and seek professional help. Take care of each
other and be diligent. n
http://www.apma.org/wellbing http://www.apma.org/wellbing
APMA News - September/October 2021

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