Female Doctors Are at Higher Risk of Suicide, Study says 

By Adebowale Bello. B.Tech Microbiology. Freelance Health Writer.

African female university graduates in group photo outdoors

When you think of a doctor, the image that often comes to mind is one of strength, resilience and expertise. After all, doctors are the people we turn to when we need help the most. Yet, behind this image of strength, many doctors face immense personal challenges.

Shockingly, research has revealed that female doctors are at a significantly higher risk for suicide compared to their male colleagues and the general population.

In a world where mental health awareness is growing, it's essential to take a closer look at why female doctors are more vulnerable to suicide and what can be done to address this tragic issue. While this is a global issue, its implications are particularly relevant in Africa, where healthcare systems are already burdened and mental health support is often limited.

How common is Suicide among Doctors?

Suicide is a global public health problem, claiming over 720,000 lives annually according to the World Health Organization (WHO). While some countries in the industrialised north have reliable data, this is not so in many others, including African countries where population level death registry are not conscientiously maintained.

Some countries have seen a decline in suicide rates since year 2000, but others like the United States and Brazil have witnessed increases in recent years. Several social and environmental factors contribute to suicide risk and one's profession can play a significant role. Among professions, physicians are at higher risk of suicide and the numbers are even more alarming for female doctors.

In a recent study, Austrian researchers reviewed over 60 years of data on doctor suicide rates in 20 countries. The study included data from 38 studies focusing on male doctors and 26 studies on female doctors. It found that female physicians have a much higher suicide risk than male physicians and the general population. The data showed a suicide rate ratio of 1.76 for female doctors, compared to 1.05 for male doctors.

These findings indicate that female doctors are nearly twice as likely to die by suicide compared to women in the general population. While male doctors also face an elevated risk, the difference is stark and demands attention.

Why Are Female Doctors More at Risk?

Several factors contribute to the increased suicide risk among female physicians:

1. Work-Related Stress: The medical profession is known for its demanding nature. Female doctors often experience the added pressure of balancing work with family responsibilities. In Africa, where cultural expectations for women can be particularly high, female doctors may find themselves struggling to meet both personal and professional demands.

2. Mental Health Stigma: There is significant stigma around mental health issues in many countries around the world, including African countries. This stigma can prevent female doctors from seeking help when they need it most. Admitting to struggling with mental health is often seen as a sign of weakness, particularly in a profession where strength and composure are valued.

3. Workplace Environment: Many medical fields are male-dominated and female doctors may face unique challenges in this work environment. This can lead to feelings of isolation and lack of support. In some cases, female physicians face discrimination and harassment, which can take a severe toll on their mental health.

4. Access to Enabling Drugs: Doctors, by the nature of their work, have access to and knowledge of drugs that make suicide attempts more likely to be successful. This access makes it even more crucial for mental health interventions to be proactive rather than reactive.

The African Outlook

A number of issues pose challenges for the appreciation of the scope of physician suicide in Africa. These include:

• Staffing pressure
• Limited data
• Cultural stigma
• Career considerations
• Scarce mental health professionals

Physician suicide should rightfully be of public health concern particularly in Africa, where healthcare systems are often understaffed and overburdened. These challenges are compounded by limited reliable data on the issue.  .

In many African countries, there are profound resource gaps in facilities and professionals for mental health care for the general population. 

Below are some concerning mental health related personnel data in Africa according to a recent survey published in Statista:

• In Africa, there are 1.4 mental health workers per 100,000 people compared with 9 per 100,000 globally.

• There is one psychiatrist for every 500,000 people in Africa. This is said to be 100 times less than the WHO recommendation.

• Nurses make up the majority of mental health workers in Africa, with 0.9 employees per 100,000 population. 

• There are 0.1 psychologists, psychiatrists, and social workers per 100,000 population in Africa. 

Moreover, cultural and career related factors play significant roles in the identification of the scope of this problem. In many African societies, discussing mental health issues remain a taboo due to associated stigma. These prevent individuals from seeking help. Also concerns about career setback and loss of employment may hinder physicians from seeking mental health care as early as they may need it. Female doctors, who are often seen as pillars of strength, may feel even more pressured to hide their struggles.

Strategies to Address the Crisis

With more women globally been admitted to and graduating from medical schools than before, addressing the mental health challenges faced by female doctors is crucial. While this is a global issue, solutions must be tailored to fit respective country's sociocultural context. Here are some public health strategies that can help within the African context:

1. Promoting Mental Health Awareness: Efforts to raise awareness about mental health in Africa are critical. Reducing the stigma around mental health issues is the first step in encouraging doctors to seek help when they need it.

Public health campaigns that emphasize the importance of mental well-being, particularly among healthcare professionals, can help shift cultural attitudes.

2. Creating Support Systems: Female doctors need support systems both within and outside of the workplace. Healthcare institutions should implement employee assistance mental health programs that provide counseling and peer support. Mentorship programs that connect female doctors with experienced professionals can also help them navigate the challenges of their careers.

3. Improving Work-Life Balance: Public health managers and medical institutions must prioritize work-life balance for all physicians, particularly female doctors. Flexible working hours, parental leave and childcare support can lessen some of the pressures that female doctors face.

4. Encouraging Help-Seeking Behaviour: Female doctors must feel empowered to seek help when they are struggling. Mental health services should be readily available, confidential and affordable. In some cases, digital platforms and telemedicine may be valuable tools for providing mental health care in areas with limited resources.

Wrap Up

The elevated suicide risk faced by female doctors is a sobering reminder of the mental health challenges within the medical profession. While doctors dedicate their lives to caring for others, it is crucial that we care for them as well.

For Africa, where the healthcare system is already under strain, addressing the mental health needs of female doctors is not only a matter of compassion but also of sustainability. We must ensure that female doctors receive the support they need to thrive—because when they do, we all benefit.

By fostering an environment that values mental health and provides the necessary support, we can reduce the risk of suicide among female doctors and create a healthcare system that truly cares for everyone, including its caretakers.

Source: Zimmermann, C, Strohmaier, S, Herkner, H, Niederkrotenthaler, T, & Schernhammer, E. (2024). Suicide rates among physicians compared with the general population in studies from 20 countries: Gender stratified systematic review and meta-analysis. BMJ,386, e078964. doi:  10.1136/bmj-2023-078964. Available from here

Related: Suicide risk is high among nurses in the United States

Published: September 13, 2024

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