1 in 6 U.S. physicians have contemplated suicide, Medscape report finds

Author(s):

Austin Littrell

Key Takeaways

Physician suicidal ideation has increased to 15%, reversing previous declines, highlighting ongoing mental health challenges in the profession.
Despite awareness, many physicians feel unsupported, fearing professional repercussions if they seek mental health help.
Barriers to seeking help include self-reliance, fear of disclosure, and lack of trust in mental health resources.
Systemic changes are needed to address burnout, reduce administrative burdens, and provide confidential, stigma-free mental health support.

After two years of decline, physician suicidal thoughts are on the rise, signaling a troubling reversal, says the Medscape Physicians and Suicide Report 2025.

For many physicians, the demands of medicine — long hours, administrative burdens and emotional strain — pose significant mental health challenges. The COVID-19 pandemic only intensified these pressures, pushing many to their breaking points.

Initially, reports suggested a post-pandemic decline in physician suicidal ideology, offering a glimmer of hope. However, the latest findings from Medscape’s “Physicians and Suicide Report 2025” tell a different story.

The report, released Tuesday, found that 15% of surveyed physicians had contemplated suicide — up 66% from 9% in 2023 — reversing previous years of declining rates.

Although the percentage of physicians who have attempted suicide remains below 1%, the increase in suicidal thoughts signals deep-rooted challenges within the profession. The report, based on responses from 5,741 U.S. physicians across 29 specialties, highlights the relentless demands, emotional burden, and systemic obstacles that continue to erode doctors’ mental health.

Despite increased awareness of physician mental health, more than half of those surveyed believe their profession is still failing to provide adequate support. Nearly two-thirds of those who reported suicidal ideation pointed to the demands of their career as a significant factor.

“The issue of physician suicide has always been there, but it has finally become something we can talk about very publicly,” said Amy Vinson, MD, a Boston anesthesiologist and expert on well-being in her specialty. “Things are getting better in terms of destigmatizing mental health care and providing resources, but there is obviously a lot more that still needs to be done.”

The report also highlights a lack of trust in employer-provided mental health resources. Many physicians refrain from seeking help for fear of professional repercussions, despite federal laws requiring mental health benefits to be on par with medical coverage.

The stats tell one side of the story, but the personal accounts of physicians struggling with suicidal ideation drive home the gravity of the situation. Thirty-eight percent of survey respondents personally knew one or more colleagues who had considered, or attempted, suicide.

“A physician is not supposed to admit weakness such as depression or, less likely, suicidal ideations,” a family physician in California said in the report. “We address suicide, but we do not address wellness to the extent needed to prevent physicians from reaching the brink of or committing suicide.”

Compared to Medscape’s 2023 report, physicians are more likely to speak with a therapist (48% vs. 38%) or a hotline counselor (8% vs. 5%), but significant barriers to seeking professional help remain. Among these barriers:

Nearly half (49%) of physicians believed they could manage their mental health on their own, avoiding professional help.
41% didn’t want to risk disclosure to the medical board.
30% were concerned about how it would appear on their insurance record.
24% were concerned about their colleagues finding out.
11% of physicians didn’t trust mental health professionals.

Medscape’s survey underscores the urgent need for systemic change in medical institutions to better support physician well-being. The 2025 report suggests that addressing burnout, reducing administrative burdens, and providing confidential, stigma-free mental health support are crucial steps in preventing physician suicide.

“These numbers highlight the pressing need for even more attention and change in the medical community,” said Jon McKenna, executive editor, Medscape Business of Medicine. “There is a need to focus on enhancing mental health support for physicians and to create an environment where seeking help is not only accepted but also encouraged. Prioritizing the well-being of physicians is essential to help ensure they can provide the best care for their patients.”

For those struggling, help is available. Physicians and medical students can call the physician support line at (888) 409-0141 to consult a psychiatrist about their mental health concerns; the PeerRxMed program pairs physicians with colleagues for support; and most states run confidential physician help programs (PHPs).