With heavy hearts, we extend our condolences to the family, friends and loved ones of Dr. Nakita Mortimer. We also mourn the loss of a brilliant and beautiful Black woman physician. Her tragic death reverberates throughout our communities, and we stand in solidarity with calls for systemic and institutional changes within the profession of medicine.

As we navigate this difficult time, we strongly encourage empathetic and honest discussions about improving mental health services for our medical students, physicians in training and physician colleagues. We support effective efforts to reduce the stigma of mental illness, particularly for those representing minoritized communities. We know we need to do more to prevent the estimated 400 physician deaths by suicide each year in the United States.  We urge the implementation of innovative practices that decrease rates of depression, anxiety, burnout, substance use disorders and deaths by suicide.

The culture of medicine must shift. Realistic work hours, demands and responsibilities, access to confidential mental health services, commitment to physician wellness and inclusive, nontoxic work environments all need to become a part of a healthy normalization for our profession. This is also how we optimize the care we provide for our patients and support equitable health outcomes.

ABWP encourages all members of our physician community to acknowledge the impact of our profession on our physical, mental and emotional well-being. ABWP will continue to provide a safe space for our medical students, physicians in training and physician colleagues to share experiences and provide support for one another. 

If you or someone you know is considering suicide, please call Physician Support Line (1-888-409-0141). Call or text the National Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 988, available 24 hours. You can also go to https://suicidepreventionlifeline.org, or text HOME to 741741. Therapy Aid Coalition (therapyaid.org) is a nonprofit offering free to low-cost therapy to US healthcare workers. National Alliance for Mental Illness (NAMI) Helpline 1-800-950-NAMI.

These are additional resources particularly curated for people of color.

Therapy for Black Girls https://therapyforblackgirls.com/

Therapy for Black Men https://therapyforblackmen.org/

Melanin and Mental Health https://www.melaninandmentalhealth.com/

Poppy Therapy for postpartum depression www.poppy-therapy.com

Ayana Therapy www.ayanatherapy.com

Together, we can reduce the stigma around mental illness.

Find a Black Mental Health Professional (Click Here)

Suicide And Alcohol Abuse (Click Here)