Doctors in Distress

For other uses of "Doctor in Distress", see Doctor in Distress (disambiguation).

Doctors in Distress is a British charity established in 2019 with a primary mission to reduce the prevalence of burnout and suicides among healthcare professionals in the United Kingdom. The organisation's inception was a response to the suicide of Dr Jagdip Sidhu, a cardiologist, in November 2018.[1][2] This event deeply impacted his brother, Amandip Sidhu, who founded the charity. Doctors in Distress is dedicated to raising awareness of the significant pressures faced by medical practitioners and fostering more compassionate and supportive work environments where healthcare professionals can openly discuss challenges such as stress and mental health.[3]

The organisation offers various services, including webinars, workshops, and facilitated peer support groups where healthcare professionals can openly discuss the emotional impact of their work and seek support from their peers in a safe, judgment free environment.[4][5]

Author and former doctor Adam Kay joined the organisation as a patron in 2023.

Dame Clare Gerada is patron of the charity,[6][7][8] and has a varied trustee board consisting of doctors and lay persons, as well as a cohort of ambassadors.

The suicide rate among doctors is estimated at between two and five times higher than for the general population.[9]

As of the Summer of 2025, Doctors in Distress had assisted more than 6,000 healthcare professionals.[10]

References

  1. ^ "British Cardiovascular Society". www.bcs.com. Retrieved 6 June 2020.
  2. ^ "Beachy Head medic gets hearty tribute". Mirror. 14 December 2018. Retrieved 13 December 2022 – via PressReader.
  3. ^ "Doctor brother's death pushes Watford NHS suicide campaigner". Watford Observer. 9 October 2022. Retrieved 7 November 2022.
  4. ^ "Doctors in Distress". www.facebook.com. Retrieved 6 June 2020.
  5. ^ Sidhu, Amandip (6 June 2020). "Amandip Sidhu talks about Doctors in Distress and the need for psychological PPE". You Tube.
  6. ^ "Doctors In Distress – A charity dedicated to protecting mental health and stopping suicides in health professionals". Retrieved 6 June 2020.
  7. ^ "Charity overview". apps.charitycommission.gov.uk. Retrieved 6 June 2020.
  8. ^ "Contact and trustees". apps.charitycommission.gov.uk. Retrieved 6 June 2020.
  9. ^ Gerada, Clare (1 May 2018). "Doctors, suicide and mental illness". BJPsych Bulletin. Retrieved 7 November 2022.
  10. ^ Lilley, Roy (7 November 2022). "Need help..." NHS Managers.net. Retrieved 7 November 2022.
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