[Congressional Record Volume 167, Number 158 (Tuesday, September 14, 2021)]
[Senate]
[Page S6506]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  SENATE RESOLUTION 364--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

  Ms. STABENOW (for herself, Mr. Kaine, and Mr. Reed) submitted the 
following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Health, 
Education, Labor, and Pensions:

                              S. Res. 364

       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 Senate--
       (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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