Eye on doctors’ mental health and wellbeing

A gathering of more than 100 eye surgeons from across Australia will today draw attention to the mental health and wellbeing of healthcare practitioners — because doctors matter too.

At an annual meeting of the Australian Society of Ophthalmologists (ASO) — the ASO Skills Expo — eye surgeons and ophthalmic industry representatives joined Crazy Socks 4 Docs Founder, Dr Geoff Toogood, in donning ‘super eye’ socks ahead of the next Crazy Socks 4 Docs Day on Friday, 7 June 2024. 

Crazy Socks 4 Docs is a national, turned global, movement that aims to break down the stigma attached to mental health in doctors.

Held annually on the first Friday in June, Crazy Socks 4 Docs Day is an opportunity for doctors to put on bright and bold socks that can help ignite conversations in hospital corridors and operating theatres about one’s mental health and wellbeing — and potentially save lives.

ASO President, Dr Peter Sumich, said the occasion is more poignant than ever for Australia’s ophthalmologists.

“Like all medical communities across the country, ours has not gone untouched, and we have experienced the loss of esteemed colleagues and friends to this silent pandemic,” Dr Sumich said.

“Today we launched a mental health and wellbeing survey, through which we hope to identify any gaps or shortcomings that can be addressed to ensure appropriate services and resources are available to ophthalmologists.”

The gathering comes briefly after the release of the latest Medical Training Survey, which highlighted ophthalmology trainees are working almost eight hours more than the average Australian doctor in training.

“At an average 53.3 hours per week, this is also the highest recorded in the Medical Training Survey since it was launched five years ago”, Dr Sumich said.

Dr Geoff Toogood, a Consultant Cardiologist in Melbourne, founded the Crazy Socks 4 Docs movement after identifying an urgent need.

“Through my own experiences with depression and anxiety, I faced stigma and discrimination at many levels,” Dr Toogood explains.

“I was determined that once I recovered from my own demons, I would instigate a movement to help other healthcare professionals and break down the stigma we face.

“If we can reduce doctors’ suicide around the world, we will have achieved what we set out to do.”

To return the favour to the everyday heroes saving and changing lives, members of the public can donate to the Crazy Socks 4 Docs charity.