Healing the healers - Physician mental health | Lynette Charity | TEDxUIdaho

Did you know that physicians are more likely to die by suicide than individuals in any other career? When we go to the doctor, the last person we expect to need care is our physician. How can we, as a society, foster a healthy atmosphere for providers? Lynette Charity MD is an Anesthesiologist with over 35 years of experience “putting people to sleep.” Her medical career journey began as a child overcoming the obstacles of growing up in the projects in segregated Virginia and as a teenager, attending a predominantly White high school. She graduated from that high school with honors and after attending Chatham College for Women in Pittsburgh, PA and graduating with a BS in Biology-Chemistry, she received her MD degree from Tufts University School of Medicine in Boston. After her Anesthesiology residency at Beth Israel Hospital in Boston, she completed medical fellowships in Neuroanesthesia and Obstetrical Anesthesia at UCSF Moffitt Hospital in San Francisco.
She achieved the rank of Lt. Colonel in the U.S. Army Medical Corps. while teaching Anesthesiology residents and becoming an Asst. Chief of Anesthesia and Operative Services at Madigan Army Medical Center in Tacoma, WA. Dr. Charity resides in Gilbert, AZ with her husband of 40 years, Dr. Anthony Sado. They have two adult children and an 11-month old grandson who made them move from a small condo in a gated retirement community to a big house with a big backyard and a pool! When not being a babysitter, she enjoys memoir writing, improv and an occasional stand-up comedy open mic. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at www.ted.com/tedx

[@ScarlettKass]

Thanks for sharing your story. It’s sad that physician (and medical student) suicide rate is so high. I feel like there are efforts at trying to improve mental health but unfortunately in my experience they are falling short in addressing the root problem: which is that it’s okay to have a mental health condition, lets encourage and prioritize you to get treatment for that (whatever that might look like). Instead, we (can only speak from medical student perspective) are encouraged to just deal with it, or justify that this is just what you have to go through to become a doctor and as a result nothing happens which tends to build and build until you can’t take it anymore. How are we supposed to “do good” or “do no harm” to our patients when we are violating those practices (that we take an oath on in medical school) in our own self? To add to that, when you do try to get help or treatment and surpass that fear and shame, there are even more roadblocks from institutions, hospitals and medical boards. You are being essentially punished for doing what’s best for yourself in this regard by being excluded from jobs, medical licenses and opportunities for which you are trained. The system seems to reinforce the fear and shame we already have regarding mental health and then keeps us suffering in silence - which leads to burn out, risky behaviors and fatally suicide. Something needs to change that balances the mental health, wellbeing and autonomy of physicians with their practice so that they can be healthy in order to best treat patients and live a better quality of life!

[@ellenorchid01]

Superb talk! Congrats, Dr. Charity. This is a MAJOR TOPIC of concern. Thank you for delivering it.

[@spicystarz5707]

This woman is Amazing and empowered.Thanks for being so transparent and vulnerable I lost my nephew to suicide,I never thought to ask those questions,I believe your story and experience will save someone reading this!

[@DarPalmer819]

Very heartfelt and thought-provoking message, Lynette. I grow prouder of you with every discovery of your accomplishments and perseverance.

[@majicmike80]

Lynette out here fighting the good fight. This statement is profound, and it requires an incredible amount of strength to portrait this perspective.

[@LeadWithPersonalPower]

Thank you for educating us Lynette about something probably few of us know about. I agree that our society and personal health are best served when those who care for us, are cared for too.

[@dallen7001]

Moving story ... Lynette is an amazing speaker and story teller. She has a passion from her own experience to make a difference in the world of Physicans.

[@betcombo7021]

*so, even if you were lucky to born healthy - just do not kill ownbody( and brain) with poisons like alcohol, cigarettes, drugs bad meals.. more actions, gym, activity..and optimism..*

[@DrAprilG]

Great job Dr. Lynette

[@itouchtheskyslowlifeitaly]

Thanks for telling us more about suicides.

[@itouchtheskyslowlifeitaly]

Thanks for telling us your personal story also. It helps me a lot.

[@CrossCultural-c7f]

Lynette, awesome! It takes courage to be vulnerable. But word about this double standard needs to be broadcast.