IV 
117TH CONGRESS 
1ST SESSION 
H. RES. 656 
Supporting the designation of September 17, 2021, as ‘‘National Physician 
Suicide Awareness Day’’ to raise awareness of, and promote a national 
discussion about, physician suicide and to reduce the stigma of mental 
health issues. 
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
SEPTEMBER 17, 2021 
Ms. 
STEVENS
(for 
herself, 
Ms. 
WILD, 
Mr. 
FITZPATRICK, 
Mr. 
KRISHNAMOORTHI, Mr. MCKINLEY, Mrs. AXNE, Ms. CHU, and Mr. 
PAPPAS) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the 
Committee on Energy and Commerce 
RESOLUTION 
Supporting the designation of September 17, 2021, as ‘‘Na-
tional Physician Suicide Awareness Day’’ to raise aware-
ness of, and promote a national discussion about, physi-
cian suicide and to reduce the stigma of mental health 
issues. 
Whereas, prior to the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID–19) 
pandemic, numerous health care workers suffered from 
work-related burnout and depression; 
Whereas physicians work under intense pressure and are ex-
posed to trauma on the job; 
Whereas the suicide rate among— 
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(1) male physicians is 1.41 times higher than the 
general male population; and 
(2) female physicians is even more pronounced, 
being 2.27 times higher than the general female popu-
lation; 
Whereas physicians, nurses, and allied health providers serv-
ing on the frontlines of the COVID–19 pandemic are 
under a critically high degree of stress and burnout; 
Whereas shortages of personal protective equipment, difficult 
working conditions, burdensome administrative tasks, 
long hours, grief over losing patients, and watching the 
families of patients suffer added a layer of extreme stress 
for many frontline workers; 
Whereas mental health and physical health are equally impor-
tant components of overall health; 
Whereas there are structural barriers in place that discourage 
self-care and mental health help-seeking behaviors among 
physicians; and 
Whereas a day of public awareness and education campaigns 
to shine a light on the tragedy of physician suicide is held 
on September 17 each year: Now, therefore, be it 
Resolved, That the House of Representatives— 
(1) supports the goals of National Physician 
Suicide Awareness Day to bring national attention 
to the mental health crisis affecting physicians in 
the United States; 
(2) dedicates a day of reflection to honor the 
memory of physicians who have died by suicide; 
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(3) recognizes the need for greater research 
into understanding and addressing the issue of phy-
sician suicide, including the barriers to treatment, 
help-seeking behaviors to address burnout, and men-
tal care options to prevent physician suicide; and 
(4) encourages the President to issue a procla-
mation calling on the people of the United States to 
observe National Physician Suicide Awareness Day 
with appropriate awareness and educational activi-
ties. 
Æ 
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