[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 149 (Thursday, September 14, 2023)]
[Senate]
[Page S4530]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  SENATE RESOLUTION 343--SUPPORTING THE DESIGNATION OF SEPTEMBER 17, 
    2023, 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:
       Whereas physicians work under intense pressure and are 
     exposed to trauma on the job;
       Whereas the risk of suicide within the medical profession 
     is among the highest rates of any occupation;
       Whereas each year in the United States roughly 300 to 400 
     physicians die by suicide;
       Whereas the suicide rate--
       (1) among male physicians is 1.41 times higher than the 
     general male population; and
       (2) among female physicians is even more pronounced, being 
     2.27 times higher than the general female population;
       Whereas difficult working conditions, burdensome 
     administrative tasks, long hours, grief over losing patients, 
     and watching the families of patients suffer add 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 
     is held on September 17 each year to shine a light on the 
     tragedy of physician suicide: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the Senate--
       (1) supports the goal 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 issues surrounding 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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