Trigger warning: This post features references of suicide and may cause distress.

Earlier this year, my fellow doctor and beautiful friend, took her own life.

"Junior doctors are made to feel that they aren’t good enough." (Image: iStock)

"There is this ingrained culture where people don’t look after each other. I don’t know if it will ever change." (Image: iStock)

A recent large cross sectional study byBeyond Bluefound that one in five medical students and one in 10 doctors in training had suicidal thoughts in the past year. Regarding young doctors, the report noted they worked longer hours, had more psychological distress, thought about suicide more and are more likely to suffer ‘burn out’ than their older and more senior colleagues.

It’s cut-throat. It’s brutal. Doctors are terrified to admit they are suffering or need help, because the mandatory reporting laws that surround doctors in psychological distress mean that any concerns for psychological ill-health could cost them their career.

If you or someone you know is struggling with their mental health, please seek help. You can get in touch with Beyond Blue by calling 1300 22 46 36 or visiting their website.