Title: 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.
Policy area: Health

Summary:
This resolution expresses support for the goals of National Physician Suicide Awareness Day.

[Congressional Bills 117th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 656 Introduced in House (IH)]

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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 ``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.

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 exposed to trauma on the 
        job;
Whereas the suicide rate among--

    (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 population;

Whereas physicians, nurses, and allied health providers serving 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 important 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;
            (3) recognizes the need for greater research into 
        understanding and addressing the issue of physician suicide, 
        including the barriers to treatment, help-seeking behaviors to 
        address burnout, and mental care options to prevent physician 
        suicide; and
            (4) encourages the President to issue a proclamation 
        calling on the people of the United States to observe National 
        Physician Suicide Awareness Day with appropriate awareness and 
        educational activities.
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