GPs suffer from mental health problems too
By Liz Lockhart
Concerns were raised at the recent BMA’s conference in Cardiff over the mental health of GPs and 
dentists.
Speaking at the conference, Latifa Patel, the BMA’s medical students’ representative, said that mental health was not a ‘small issue’ and that medics were more likely to suffer from depression or commit suicide. (more likely than whom she did not say)
Miss Patel went on to say that ‘40% of the people in this room will be forced to retire early due to a psychiatric illness. 7% of the people in this room will have a substance misuse problem at one stage in their life.’
‘And 10% of junior doctors harbour thoughts of suicide.’ she added.
Many doctors and dentists fear disciplinary action or being struck off if they disclose details of their mental illness, she concluded.
At present support is offered to doctors and dentists living in London by The Practitioner Health Programme. In addition to help with mental health problems it also deals with addiction issues.
The BMA has suggested that this confidential service should be extended across the UK.
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