Why Physicians Die by Suicide: Lessons Learned from Their Families and Others Who Cared

Why are healers taking their own lives? Dr. Myers has used his professional experience to lay this problem open for all to read. This book is an easy and quick read that looks at the issues faced by your most trusted professionals. As a physician and survivor of suicide, this book spoke volumes to my wife and I. It is easy in hindsight to see the risk factors and warning signs of my attempt. Now will you have the courage to read it before something happens to someone you know? Every physician and medical student as well as administrators of hospitals residencies and schools SHOULD read this book.

Doctor Myers shines the spotlight on a major problem depriving about 1 million U.S. patients of their doctors each year. Several hundred physicians take their own lives annually. It's been said that they are the "canaries in the health care coal mine." If you put a canary in a coal mine, and it comes out dirty, sick, or dead, it's not the canary's fault.I'm the president of Doctor Lifeline, Incorporated, a nonprofit organization dedicated to the prevention of physician suicide. I highly recommend Doctor Myers' book, and his other publications on this issue. It's a must read for young doctors, and sadly, for the families of suicidal doctor decedents.

A through piece of medical literature, definitely a must read for counselors, psychiatrists and psychologistsThis book should be a required reading for medical students in general.Deep understanding of the topic from a highly respected clinician.

Dr. Meyer's work on this taboo subject is important. Over 300 physicians die each year at their own hand. Physician burnout is the cause, and the reasons and results behind this sad fact are chronicled through this expert's interview of those who have lost a loved one. Thank you Dr. Meyer's for your documentary look at this troubling phenomenon.

Dr. Myers has delved into perhaps the most under-discussed and critical issue plaguing the physician workforce. His work is courageous, informative, and guided by rich narrative interviews from doctors, colleagues and loved ones. The overall message is simple, we cannot allow ourselves or those around us to become isolated especially in our field of work. To quote Dr. Myers, "I've never heard anyone ever say that when their time comes, they hope they are all alone." The details, messages, and practical lessons of this book are its greatest strength. I am currently in a leadership position for resident physicians and we know that the prevalence of suicidal thoughts and depression is much higher than is acceptable amongst our trainees. This book has helped me tremendously to enhance my understanding of the phenomenon of doctor suicide, its causes and its devastating impact on those left behind. Thank you for such a thoughtful, timely, and important contribution to a still under-recognized issue amongst our providers.

I am working with a group of physicians that lost a colleague to suicide this book was helpful in starting our discussion and hopefully preventing further tragedy.

Dr. Myers brings an often avoided subject, usually relegated to silence and shadows, into the light. Not only do we lose too many of our colleagues to their own hand but also too many struggle alone with depression and suicidal thoughts when these could be relieved if help was sought. Dr. Myers combines many individuals' stories with insights and practical advice. The words in this book speak truths that need to be realized to make a difference. Examples include that physicians may (and very likely) feel "having a suicidal plan is very comforting," suicidality is not binary and those that are "not afraid to venture there with them...can be restorative and therapeutic." We need to learn to 'extend a hand' because it increases the personal connectivity that can combat isolation, loneliness and suicidal thoughts. If one has been touched by physician suicide or is a doctor that has been down this road, this book will show that that you are not alone. I believe it may have helped me when I was on that path.

I highly recommend this powerful, supportive, erudite, gloves-off book from an esteemed world authority we are all fortunate and grateful to have in Dr Myers. This compelling fusion of tear-jerking, heart-breaking personal narratives from the voices of those that have been left behind are beautifully and seamlessly facilitated by this vastly experienced, knowledgeable, compassionate doctors' doctor to produce an uplifting and inspiring must-have book. This caring and moving tome is a torch that leads the way forward by shining a bright light on the darkness that is perhaps the last great taboo in our society, the potential lethal combination of stigma and stigmatization of mental illness. There really is no them and us comes across loud and clear to all that choose to listen. A journey from tears of pain and sadness, to tears of optimism and hope. A book that, dare I say, will need to be read by all of us sooner or later during our hectic and frenetic lives which fits just as well on the coffee table, the book store, the student desk, the shelves of the universities and an important resource for the medical training facilities of the Royal Colleges.Dave Emson, survivor

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This is an excellent accounting of a most difficult and challenging topic. It helped me understand many of the complexities involved when a physician husband and father dies by suicide. I worked on a presentation with Dr. Myers in Montreal in 2004. Wonderful to see this book after all these years.

Great!

Amazing book describing daily life of doctors and their health issues. Highly recommend to doctors as well as their families.

A very good learning experience.