COVID Anniversary Brings Urgency to Supporting Doctors' Mental Health

Editor's note: This story discusses suicide. If you or someone you know is having thoughts of suicide, please contact the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988 or 1-800-273-TALK (8255).

As the fifth anniversary of COVID-19 lockdowns approaches, attention is turning to the mental toll the pandemic took on healthcare workers, and lawmakers are stepping up with a bipartisan bill aimed at addressing the crisis.

Dr. Lorna Breen, a highly respected ER chief at Columbia-Presbyterian Hospital in New York City, tragically took her own life during the height of the pandemic. Her father described her death as a "casualty" of the pandemic and noted she had no prior history of mental illness but had recently appeared "detached." Breen's passing shone a spotlight on the immense mental strain faced by healthcare professionals.

The proposed Lorna Breen Health Care Provider Protection Reauthorization Act seeks to provide billions of dollars in resources to prevent suicide, burnout, and mental health challenges among healthcare workers. Advocates say the need for such measures has never been clearer. A study from a North Carolina healthcare group revealed that over half of surveyed doctors regretted choosing primary care as their field, given the relentless pressures.

Chief medical officer Dr. Randy Pilgrim and chief wellness officer Dr. Bentley Tate of SCP Health, a healthcare organization active in 35 states, have been vocal advocates for the legislation. Pilgrim explained that while patients focus entirely on their own health during visits—which is understandable—the mental well-being of their doctors is vital for effective care. "The healthier the doctor is, the more available they are for the patients themselves," Pilgrim said.

Dr. Tate emphasized the broader consequences of physician burnout, noting that early retirements or career shifts deprive the healthcare system of skilled professionals. "When doctors step away for personal reasons, we all lose," he said. "Physician suicide is the far end of that spectrum, but burnout, frustration, and mental fatigue are equally damaging."

During COVID-19, overworked physicians faced unprecedented stress, with gurneys lining hospital corridors in overcrowded urban centers. Pilgrim pointed out that the pandemic made the "underground phenomenon" of physician mental health struggles more visible, sparking bipartisan calls for action. "This legislation is patient-centered and unifying," he added, highlighting the ripple effect a supported doctor can have on thousands of patients.

With budget scrutiny at an all-time high, proponents argue the act represents a "small investment" with an "outsized impact." Sens. Tim Kaine (D-Va.) and Roger Marshall (R-Kan.), a doctor himself, are leading the Senate version, while Rep. Debbie Dingell (D-Mich.) is spearheading the House effort alongside Reps. Jennifer Kiggans (R-Va.) and Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-Ill.). Dingell underscored the importance of ensuring healthcare workers have the resources to care for themselves as they care for others.

"Healthcare professionals dedicate their lives to serving patients, often at the expense of their own well-being," Dingell said. "Ensuring they stay healthy is one of my top priorities."