Abstract
[This is an excerpt.] As physicians, most of us are aware of the high prevalence of burnout and depression among medical students, residents, our colleagues, and at times, ourselves. Existing data suggest that, overall, we start our professional journey in medicine with similar or better mental health and lower levels of burnout than other college graduates. However, once we are in medical school and postgraduate education, many of us experience high levels of chronic stress that contribute to depression, burnout, and other forms of distress; these conditions are experienced, on average, at levels higher than in other professions. Those among us who experience distress often hide or push through it. We hope that the distress will abate, like a wave withdrawing back into the ocean, saving us the inconvenience, cost, and real or perceived negative impact of seeking help. We are, after all, immersed in a culture that emphasizes grit and resilience, confuses healthy self-care with selfishness, and views self-sacrifice as a requirement for being committed to the calling of medicine. [To read more, click View Resource.]
