USEFUL LINKS - DOCTORS
Free support resources for doctors and medical students
Approx 2.5 million doctors in the world will suffer with a mental health problem this year alone*
(That's approx ~70,000 doctors in the UK)
This list of free support resources is checked and updated regularly by Team Joy. It mainly covers the UK, but international resources are being added constantly! Please let us know about any resources that we could add or amend - by emailing us at:
teamjoy@joyfuldoctor.com
------------------------
Why not try your?...
Colleagues
Clinical Supervisor
Educational Supervisor
Training Programme Director
College Tutor
Training Programme Director
Mentor
Academic Tutor
Department Head
Team Manager
Hospital Chaplaincy
Trust Wellbeing Lead
Occupational Health
The list...
Is divided into 5 categories:
Doctors - UK
Doctors - International
Medical students
Financial support resources for doctors and medical students
Useful Books, Readings & Reports
For general resources available to all doctors and students as members of the general public - see our general resource page here
N.B. Any resources with a cost are denoted with the symbol '£' after their name
Specific Support Resources for Doctors (UK)
Association of Anaesthetists support pages
Representing the life-changing, life-saving profession of anaesthesia – by supporting, informing and inspiring a worldwide community of over 11,000 members.
Link to services
Association of Medical Professionals with Hearing Loss (AMPHL)
Provides information, promotes advocacy and mentorship, and creates a network for individuals with hearing loss interested in or working in health care fields.
Link to services
Be-Exceptional
Free access to The Exceptional Method - an evidence-based transformative program specifically for doctors to take control of their lives and to thrive in medicine, developed by Dr Sam Hazeldine.
Link to services
BMA Wellbeing Support Services - Counselling | Peer Support
For help, counselling and peer support for any doctor or medical student just call 0330 123 1245 and you will have the choice of speaking to a counsellor or the details of a doctor advisor who you can call directly. Email: wellbeingsupport@bma.org.uk
Link to services
British Doctors and Dentists Group
A peer-support service for recovering alcoholic and drug dependent doctors, dentists and students. Tel: 07825 107 970. Email: bddg@btinternet.com
Link to services
DOCHealth (£ - has a charge)
DocHealth is a confidential, not for profit service giving doctors an opportunity to explore difficulties, both professional and personal, with senior clinicians. Tel: 020 7383 6533. Email: enquiries@dochealth.org.uk
Link to services
The Doctors Support Group
Our meetings are held with strict adherence to the principles of professional confidentiality. We aim to assist doctors and dentists cope with the enormous stresses and difficulties they may face.
Link to services
Doctors' Support Network
Peer support network for doctors with mental health concerns - with regular meetings around the UK, a newsletter and an e-mail forum.
Link to services
Doctors Support Service (BMA)
Confidential phone and face-to-face support for doctors facing GMC fitness to practice hearings.
Link to services
Health For Health Professionals Wales
A support group for doctors with disabilities. Email: info@hope4medics.co.uk
Link to services
Hope 4 Medics
A support group for doctors with disabilities. Email: info@hope4medics.co.uk
Link to services
London Deanery Coaching and Mentoring
A confidential coaching and mentoring service for London's trainee doctors. Email: coaching.lase@hee.nhs.uk
Link to services
MedWorld
An inspirational company that celebrates doctors and advocates for their well-being. Lots of free resources available.
Link to services
NHS Practitioner Health (NHSPH)
A free and confidential self-referral NHS service for all doctors across England. NHSPH can help you with issues relating to a mental health concern, including stress or depression, or an addiction problem, in particular where these might affect work. Tel: 0300 0303 300 (8-8 Mon-Fri, 8-2 Sat). Email: prac.health@nhs.net
Link to services
Psychiatrists' Support Service (Royal College of Psychiatrists)
A confidential support and advice telephone helpline for Members or Associates of the College.
Tel: 0207 245 0412. Email: psychiatristssupportservice@rcpsych.ac.uk
Link to services
Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists Mentoring Scheme
Aimed at obstetricians and gynaecologists who have been experiencing difficulties in relation to their work.
Tel: 020 7772 6369
Link to services
Royal College of Psychiatrists Resources
Psychiatrists’ Support Service. Tel: 020 7869 6030. Email: csas@rcseng.ac.uk
Link to services
Royal College of Surgeons Confidential Support and Advice Services for Surgeons (CSAS)
Offers a confidential telephone line as a point of personal contact between surgeons which is intended to offer a listening ear and will act as an informed signpost to appropriate sources of advice and support. Tel: 020 7869 6030. Email: csas@rcseng.ac.uk
Link to services
Support4Doctors
A wide range of specialist advice and support for doctors and their families; and links to organisations that can provide further help.
Link to services
Tea and Empathy (Facebook)
Online peer support network of >4,500 NHS staff (mainly doctors) - aiming to foster an atmosphere of compassion and support throughout the NHS. You can post anonymously or openly in the main public group, regional closed groups or secret groups for addictions, mistakes and LGBT staff.
Link to services
The Couch (doctors.net)
Online forum for mutual support and advice, and the option of anonymous posting for delicate issues. The Couch also carries a long list of doctors around the UK happy to help others in distress.
Link to services
Professional Support Unit
Welcome to the London and South East Postgraduate Medical and Dental Education website, a supporting resource for doctors and dentists in postgraduate training programmes. An initiative of Health Education England working across London and South East. Email: PSU@southlondon.hee.nhs.uk
Link to services
Sick Doctors Trust (for those with dependency problems)
Support and help for doctors, dentists and medical students who are concerned about their use of drugs or alcohol. Tel: 0370 444 5163. Email: help@sick-doctors-trust.co.uk
Link to services
Take Time
A confidential service specifically for junior doctors and dentists within Health Education England working across Yorkshire and the Humber. Time-limited therapy. Email: taketime@leeds.ac.uk
Link to services
Working Well Doctor
Wellbeing Training and Resources to help you ‘Work Well and Thrive’
Browse this calm and welcoming website for Working Well from home Tools, Wellbeing Videos and The Anxious Doctor Blog. Email: theworkingwellexperience@gmail.com
Whistleblowing Hotline for NHS staff
The Whistleblowing Helpline is a free-phone service for employees, and organisations working within the NHS and social care sector.
Tel: 0800 072 4725. Email: enquiries@wbhelpline.org.uk
Link to services
Specific Support Resources for Doctors (International)
Doctors' Health Advisory Service (DHAS) - Western Australia
With federal funding to support, advocate and educate on doctors health, we have a crisis line available 24-7 staffed by experienced GPs and a psychiatrist who can advise and triage doctors and medical students in difficulty. We also have compiled a list of ‘doctors for doctors’, GP's and psychiatrists in WA who have self expressed interest in managing colleagues- there are rural people as well. We also have a personal resources list for WA docs and Med students, a doctors health charter and an intern oath on self care. Tel: (08) 9321 3098 – 24.
Link to services
Specific Support Resources for Students
GMC guidance/support for undergraduates
Supporting medical students with mental health conditions
Link to services
London Nightline
Confidential listening, support and practical information service for students in London and the Open University - term-time, 6pm-8am. Tel: 0207 631 0101. Email:listening@nightline.org.uk. Skype chat: nightline.chat Skype phone: londonnightline
Link to services
Med Students’ Mental Health
Information about looking after your mental health as a medical student.
Link to services
Financial Support Resources for Doctors & Med Students
BMA Charities
A group of charities established to help all doctors and their families in times of need.
Link to services
Help me, I'm a Doctor
Financial support for doctors and their families bringing together five independent charities that support doctors when they need confidential financial assistance. These benevolent funds provide vital support to help doctors in genuine financial need get their lives and careers back on track.
Link to services
Money for Medical Students
A website providing practical, unbiased information and advice to help medical students qualify with a manageable level of student debt.
Link to services
Royal Medical Benevolent Fund
RMBF can consider financial assistance to doctors, medical students and their families who are facing financial crisis. Tel: 020 8540 9194. Email: help@rmbf.org
Link to services
Royal Medical Foundation
A medical benevolent charity which assists UK medical practitioners and their dependants who find themselves in financial hardship. Tel: 01372 821 01
Link to services
Society for Assistance of Medical Families
SAMF supports medical practitioners and/or their families who find themselves in severe financial hardship. We also work with other charities to enable members of the profession who may have lost their way to find new paths. Email: info@samf.org.uk
Link to services
The Cameron Fund
A charity for doctors who are, or have been, general practitioners, and for their dependants. It offers help in times of poverty, hardship or distress.
Link to services
_______________________________________
Useful books, readings and reports
BMJ
The BMJ is defined by its mission: to work towards a healthier world for all. They share that global endeavour with millions of readers working in clinical practice, research, education, government, and with patients and the public too.
Tel: +44 (020) 7387 4410. Email: editor@bmj.com.
Link to services
GMC News for doctors
We help protect patients and improve UK medical education and practice by supporting students, doctors, educators and healthcare providers.
Our advisers are here Monday to Friday 8 am–5.30 pm and 9 am–5 pm on Saturday. Tel: 0161 923 6602. Email: gmc@gmc-uk.org.
Link to services
Health and Self Care
Health and Self-care for Health Professionals - Inner Balance for an Effective Life For Health Professionals
Free download of self-care book
Link to services
_______________________________________
Thanks to the wonderful Tea & Empathy (PUBLIC) Facebook Group for the initial list this was built upon
and to the NHS Practitioner Health Programme for additional resources
_______________________________________
The UK has approx 280,000 Registered Medical Practitioners.
1 in 4 people will suffer with a mental health problem each year.
Some studies suggest doctors have higher rates of mental health problems than the general population
- so these figures may well be underestimates.
'The TOP 5 MISTAKES Doctors Make - and How to Avoid Them!'
Download your FREE eBook HERE and receive our latest Joyful Updates straight to your inbox!
(Your privacy is important to us, we will never share your email and we don't do spam!)
