The Estate News & Blog

by Kay Miller Temple

“We see these elevated risks in suicide in all the caring professions, whether it be dentists, human medicine, or animal medicine,” Dr. Chris Bundy, psychiatrist and president-elect of the Federation of State Physician Health Programs (FSPHP) said, providing a perspective on physician suicide and burnout. “We can debate each study’s outcomes, odds ratios, methods, and time intervals. We can express our concerns about how suicide is a stigmatized cause of death that impacts death certificate accuracy. But no one can argue this: any number in any of these professions is just too high.”

By Judy F. Minkove on 05/01/2019

Published in Brainwise Winter 2019, Dome MAY/JUNE 2019, Brainwise Spring 2019

As a matter of course, geriatric psychiatrist Susan Lehmann asks her patients struggling with their mental health if they drink alcohol or use drugs. In recent years, she’s noted that more of these patients in their 60's, 70's and even 80's — have answered yes to that question. “I thought to myself, ‘Something’s going on here.’”

Many business professionals and executives suffer from alcoholism and/or drug addiction. This can cause problems in their career and in their organization. Those under the influence of alcohol or unprescribed medications become less productive, incur more injuries, and often an additional result in increased health insurance claims. Many companies face huge losses when employees’ substance abuse isn’t addressed. The economic and human resources impact from the challenges arising from issues around substance abuse, can range from safety to performance and negatively impact coworkers and family members.