Hey, it's Jen. Just a quick heads up that we'll be discussing mental health and that might be

distressing for some listeners. So before we start, a quick reminder that the 988 suicide and

crisis lifeline is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week to anyone in emotional distress.

You can reach it by dialing 988. Thanks for listening.

I've been a paramedic for 20 years. I have depression, anxiety, and PTSD. About a year ago, I had to give up my therapy sessions because I couldn't afford the $40 per visit copay.

I don't feel like I've been as well supported as I should have throughout some of this process. I think there's a lot more that employers can do to help out people that are struggling, especially with recognition.

We turned to health care workers during our greatest moments of need. But where did they turn when that burden becomes too heavy?

A survey of 1,500 physicians conducted this summer shows their mental well-being is suffering. One third felt they had no purpose, and more than half said they were burned out.

We asked the health care professionals and our audience about their mental health, and here's a message from a physician's assistant at a public hospital in New York City.

It's always been an issue. It's only gotten worse, I think, during COVID. The culture in health care is to not talk about mental health issues.

Even though we've increased how much we care about it for patients, we don't apply that same methodology to ourselves.

It definitely feels as if it's discouraged to speak up and as seen as a sign of weakness.

So it's really sort of a toxic culture, and I wish it was more supportive.

Thanks for that message.

After the break, we hear from doctors who have spoken out about mental health, and we also hear your stories.

I'm Jen White. You're listening to the 1A podcast where we get to the heart of the story. Stay with us.

We're discussing the mental well-being of health care workers. Our first guest is Dr. Justin Balak.

He's a practicing physician and research fellow at the University of Washington. Dr. Balak, welcome to 1A.

Thank you very much for having me.

So you were diagnosed with bipolar disorder while you were in medical school.

What do your symptoms look like in the context of your work as a doctor?

Yes, good question. So I have bipolar 2. There are two main types of bipolar.

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