Caring for Ourselves-View Presentation

Video Transcription

Video Summary

Dr. Sid Zisook, Distinguished Professor of Psychiatry at UCSD, delivered a poignant lecture emphasizing self-care for psychiatrists. He discussed addressing mental health stigma, burnout, depression, and suicide within the medical field, advocating for a shift in medical culture towards well-being and resilience. Dr. Zisook highlighted the significance of peer support programs, like UCSD’s Physician Peer Support and the HEAR program, which aim to reduce burnout and prevent physician suicide by increasing support and access to care.<br /><br />Dr. Zisook shared personal anecdotes and educational tools, like the video series "Collateral Damages," which comprises professionals' experiences with patient suicides. He illustrated how burnout is prevalent and exacerbated by bureaucratic tasks, advocating for systemic changes that prioritize mental health. He underscored differences between burnout and depression, noting that while burnout arises from chronic stress, depression is persistent and can severely impact functionality and increase suicide risk.<br /><br />The lecture emphasized the importance of reducing stigma, enhancing access to care, and reforming residency hours to lessen stress and depression among medical trainees. Addressing physician suicide, he cited the dire need to dismantle barriers driven by stigma and job stressors. Dr. Zisook’s lecture, upon receiving the Vestermark Psychiatry Educator Award, reinforced the obligation healthcare systems have to prioritize mental health, advocating for changes in both institutional practices and cultural norms. He concluded with a call to improve both individual resilience and systemic conditions within the medical profession.

Keywords

Dr. Sid Zisook

psychiatry

self-care

mental health stigma

burnout

physician suicide

peer support programs

UCSD

Collateral Damages

residency hours reform

mental health advocacy

healthcare systems