IV 118th CONGRESS 1st Session H. RES. 690 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES September 14, 2023 Ms. Stevens (for herself, Mr. Fitzpatrick , and Ms. Wild ) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce RESOLUTION Supporting the designation of September 17, 2023, as National Physician Suicide Awareness Day to raise awareness of, and promote a national discussion about, physician suicide and to reduce the stigma of mental health issues.

Whereas physicians work under intense pressure and are exposed to trauma on the job; Whereas risk of suicide within the medical profession is among the highest rates of any occupation; Whereas each year in the United States roughly 300 to 400 physicians die by suicide; Whereas the suicide rate among— (1) male physicians is 1.41 times higher than the general male population; and (2) female physicians is even more pronounced, being 2.27 times higher than the general female population; Whereas difficult working conditions, burdensome administrative tasks, long hours, grief over losing patients, and watching the families of patients suffer adds a layer of extreme stress for many frontline workers; Whereas mental health and physical health are equally important components of overall health; Whereas there are structural barriers in place that discourage self-care and mental health help-seeking behaviors among physicians; and Whereas a day of public awareness and education campaigns to shine a light on the tragedy of physician suicide is held on September 17 each year: Now, therefore, be it