Suicide Prevention, Mental Health, & Substance Use Disorder Resources

Illustration of a stethoscope and suicide prevention ribbon.

988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline
The 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline (formerly known as the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline) offers 24/7 call, text, and chat access to trained crisis counselors who can help people experiencing suicidal, substance use, and/or mental health crisis, or any other kind of emotional distress. People can also dial 988 if they are worried about a loved one who may need crisis support. Call or text 988 or chat 988lifeline.org

Physician Support Line
A national, free, and confidential support line service made up of 600+ volunteer psychiatrists, joined together to provide peer support for their physician colleagues. 1-888-409-0141.

You are not alone

Mental health conditions and substance use disorders are common among physicians. One in three physicians experiences depression and one in four experiences anxiety, rates that are elevated relative to the general population (Saddawi-Konefka D, Moutier CY, Ehrenfeld JM. Reducing Barriers to Mental Health Care for Physicians: An Overview and Strategic Recommendations. JAMA. 2025). These conditions are treatable: in randomized trials, mental health treatment cuts distress and suicide risk in half and improves quality of life. It’s a weight you don’t have to carry.

Caring for your own health is fully consistent with clinical excellence. The same standard you hold for recognizing and treating illness in your patients applies to yourself, and acting on it early is a strength, not a liability.

Not sure where to start?

Mental Health America offers free, anonymous, validated screening tools for depression, anxiety, PTSD, substance use, and other conditions: screening.mhanational.org. A screening is not a diagnosis, but it can help you decide whether to talk with someone.

Concerned about your license or credentials?

Fear of professional consequences is one of the most commonly cited reasons physicians delay or avoid mental health care. Many state licensing boards and hospital credentialing bodies have reformed their applications so that seeking care does not need to be disclosed. The Dr. Lorna Breen Heroes’ Foundation maintains current state-by-state information on licensure reform: drlornabreen.org/removebarriers

Worried about a colleague?

You don’t need to be certain something is wrong to reach out. A direct, private question (“You haven’t seemed like yourself lately. How are you doing?”) is often the opening a struggling colleague needs. If you’re concerned someone may be considering suicide, 988 also supports people worried about someone else, by call, text, or chat.

Substance Use Disorders

ASA Statement on Substance Use Disorder
Developed by the Committee on Occupational Health

List of Federation of State Physician Health Programs (FSPHP) State Member Programs
Physician Health Programs (PHP) are confidential resources for physicians, other licensed healthcare professionals, or those in training suffering from addictive, psychiatric, medical, behavioral or other potentially impairing conditions.

International Doctors in Alcoholics Anonymous (IDAA)
Worldwide fellowship of more than 9,900 healthcare professionals, and their families who strive to help one another to achieve and maintain recovery from addictions. Open to doctorate level health care providers, physician assistants, nurse practitioners, certified registered nurse anesthetists, or to those in training for these degrees.