Our Story
Medical Minds Matter is a volunteer-led startup nonprofit organization that seeks to transform the narrative of mental health in the medical field through storytelling, community-building, and grassroots advocacy efforts. We hope to support the medical community in a manner that cultivates a culture of wellness, acceptance, and healing.
Why Does Mental Health Matter in Medicine?
Doctors are humans. We can have physical illness and injury, and yes, mental ailments too. The heavy responsibilities and demands of our profession can exacerbate such disorders, and we may receive treatment for them. And yet despite all this, we are still able to deliver a high standard of care so expected of our profession and so trusted by the public.
However, there is a climate of silence surrounding mental health in the medical field due to professional stigma by medical licensing boards, programs, and even peers. Breaking this silence is the first step in dismantling stigma, promoting help-seeking behavior among our peers, and transforming the narrative surrounding mental health in the medical field.
Stigma Exists. Let's Talk About It.
Tangible examples of stigma in medicine:
Professional Stigma in the field
Physicians are hesitant to be open about their mental health issues due to professional stigma – a 2016 study reports that only 6% of the physician respondents with diagnoses report them to state licensing boards.
A 2017 study revealed that only one-third of states have licensing/license renewal questions that either ask only about current impairment from a mental health condition or did not inquire about mental disorders at all.
Mental Health issues may be seen as negative in admissions or licensing
Many students avoid discussing their mental health issues in their medical school or residency applications, for fear of them being seen as red flags. Discussing experiences with physical ailments may not be scrutinized in the same manner. This sends a message to aspiring physicians that discussing mental health may not appropriate in this field.
According to a 2016 study, physicians who disclose mental health conditions may face repercussions by some licensing boards depending on state, including restrictions on physicians’ ability to practice.
Stigma leads to evasion or lack of help-seeking behavior by Physicians
Many physicians feeling stigmatized may turn to questionable practices such as self-medicating/self-prescribing or paying for treatment with cash to avoid health insurance records according to a 2016 study.
In a 2017 study, 40% of physicians reported being reluctant to seek care for a mental health condition, fearing repercussions to their medical license.