When a Doctor Seeks Help: Supporting Colleagues in Crisis
28 Nov 2025
Often, a GP is the first—and sometimes only—trusted point of contact for a colleague experiencing mental health challenges (Rowe, 2025).
Understanding Burnout vs. Work-Related Mental Injury
The commonly discussed “burnout” among medical professionals is frequently not burnout in the clinical sense. Instead, many doctors experience work-related mental injury caused by unsafe workloads, moral injury, bullying, or repeated exposure to traumatic events (ICD-11, WHO, 2018). Recognising the distinction is essential for providing appropriate care.
According to the ICD-11, burnout is defined as a syndrome from chronic workplace stress, characterised by exhaustion, cynicism, and reduced professional efficacy. In contrast, work-related mental injury refers to clinically significant psychological dysfunction triggered or worsened by work exposures, including trauma or chronic workload pressures (WHO, 2018).
Generic self-care or brief interventions are often insufficient for doctors suffering from work-related mental injuries. Comprehensive assessment, evidence-based therapy, medication when needed, and workplace adjustments are typically required (Phoenix Australia, 2025).
Trauma and PTSD in Medical Practice
Doctors frequently encounter traumatic events in their work, sometimes cumulatively over time. PTSD and complex PTSD (CPTSD) can arise but are often misdiagnosed as anxiety, depression, or burnout (Blue Knot Foundation, 2025).
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PTSD occurs after exposure to threatening or horrific events and can involve re-experiencing, avoidance, negative mood, and hyperarousal.
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CPTSD includes PTSD symptoms plus difficulties with emotional regulation, self-worth, and relationships, often following prolonged or repeated trauma like chronic overwork or bullying.
Managing these conditions requires long-term psychological support, pharmacotherapy if indicated, and workplace interventions to reduce ongoing stressors (Rowe, 2025).
Mandatory Reporting: Clarifying the Rules
Many doctors fear mandatory reporting, which can deter them from seeking help. In Australia:
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A treating doctor must report only if a colleague poses a substantial risk of harm to patients.
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Doctors under active treatment or monitoring, or taking time off with a confidential medical certificate, are typically exempt (AHPRA, 2024).
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Misunderstanding or over-reporting of mandatory reporting requirements contributes to stigma and prevents early intervention.
GPs can reassure colleagues that engaging in treatment protects both patient safety and the practitioner (Avant, 2025).
Practical Steps for Supporting Colleague-Patients
When a doctor seeks help, the following approach is recommended:
Assessment:
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Evaluate workplace hazards, excessive workload, bullying, or recent trauma.
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Screen for PTSD, CPTSD, depression, anxiety, and substance use.
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Consider trauma history and moral injury alongside stress or fatigue.
Treatment:
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Provide or refer for evidence-based therapy and/or medication.
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Offer longer consultations and structured follow-up.
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Collaborate with psychologists, psychiatrists, and workplace health advisors as needed.
Workplace Adjustments:
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Recommend temporary workload modifications or staged return-to-work plans if unsafe conditions aggravate the doctor’s condition.
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Under Australia’s WHS laws, employers have a duty to minimise psychosocial risks, including bullying or excessive workload (SafeDr, 2025).
Postvention:
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Following a colleague’s suicide or other traumatic event, GPs can help the team access trauma-informed support and counselling, reducing the risk of further harm.
Hope and Resilience
The mental health challenges facing doctors are longstanding but are increasingly recognised through workplace health and safety reforms. Preventive mental health care for doctors is as critical as for patients, and proactive support is essential for both individual well-being and patient safety.
Resources for Doctors Seeking Help
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Your own GP or psychologist
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Confidential Employee Assistance Programs through your employer
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Doctors’ Health Alliance: 24/7 support at 1800 006 888
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Drs4Drs counselling: 1300 374 377
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Lifeline: 13 11 14
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SafeDr.org: free WHS literacy resources
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Hand n Hand Peer Support: confidential peer support for all health professionals
Sources
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Rowe, L. (2025). When a doctor asks for help. NewsGP.
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World Health Organization (WHO). (2018). ICD-11: International Classification of Diseases 11th Revision.
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Phoenix Australia. (2025). Trauma and mental health resources for healthcare professionals.
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Blue Knot Foundation. (2025). Complex PTSD and cumulative trauma in professionals.
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Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA). (2024). Mandatory reporting guidelines.
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Avant. (2025). Mandatory notification by a treating doctor: Guidance for healthcare practitioners.
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SafeDr. (2025). Work Health and Safety resources for doctors.
