Doctors may at times have health issues which require medical advice.  All practitioners and medical students should have their own general practitioner. They should not dismiss their own symptoms and should consult their general practitioner if they are unwell.

The NZMA’s position statement on doctors’ health and wellbeing was produced in 2013.

Below are some useful links to resources and services available for doctors in managing their own health.

Keeping Your Grass Greener
This wellbeing guide was developed by the Australian Medical Students Association and the New Zealand Medical Students Association. Although aimed at medical students, it contains lots of information that is relevant for doctors at any stage of their career. Filled with articles by leading experts, it covers stress management, mental resilience, compassion fatigue and much more. Read it here.

Employee Assistance Programme (EAP)
All hospital RMOs on the DHB MECA and GP Trainees on the GPEP1 MECA have access to fully funded counselling through EAP. This is a confidential service. Call 0800 327 669 or book online: www.eapservices.co.nz

Medical Protection Society (MPS) Counselling Service
All MPS members have access to fully funded confidential counselling through MPS. How to access:

• Call MPS on 0800 225 5611. Calls to this number can be made in the strictest confidence.
• Press 1 for Medicolegal Advisor.
• Your call will be answered by the duty medicolegal consultant who will ask who they are speaking to. There is no need to divulge the details of your situation; just that you would like to access the counselling service. Your name will not be recorded by MPS.
• You may know of a particular psychiatrist or clinical psychologist you would like to see. If you do not have a specific person in mind, you will be provided with names of therapists in your area.
• If you need more than four to six sessions, your therapist will be asked to contact MPS to arrange for more sessions.
• The counselling service is free of charge.

Beating the Blues—Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)
Your GP can refer you for free online Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT). For more information see www.beatingtheblues.co.nz

CALM—Computer Assisted Learning for the Mind
This online programme of downloadable podcasts, created by the University of Auckland, covers topics such as mental resilience, managing stress, anxiety and depression, healthy relationships and finding meaning in life. For more information see http://www.calm.auckland.ac.nz/

Mental Health Foundation—Five Ways to Wellbeing
Five Ways to Wellbeing is a set of five simple, evidence based actions which can help improve your wellbeing in everyday life. For more information see: http://www.mentalhealth.org.nz/assets/Five-Ways-downloads/mentalhealth-5waysBP-web-single-2015.pdf

Depression—http://www.depression.org.nz/depression
A useful resource for identifying signs of depression, tips for staying well and where to get help if you need it.

24/7 Helplines

• Lifeline—0800 543 354 or (09) 5222 999 within Auckland
• Suicide Crisis Helpline—0508 828 865 (0508 TAUTOKO)
• Healthline—0800 611 116
• Samaritans—0800 726 666
• Depression Helpline—0800 111 757 (to talk to a trained counsellor about how you are feeling or to ask any questions)

DHB Mental Health Crisis Teams
Each DHB has a mental health crisis team which is equipped to deal with urgent mental health issues. For numbers in your local area visit http://www.mentalhealth.org.nz/get-help/in-crisis or call Healthline on 0800 611 116.

Medical Colleges—Peer support and health advisory services

The Royal New Zealand College of General Practitioners (RNZCGP)
For doctors who are suffering from stress or other health issues they can phone the College for advice on 0800 769 247.

Royal Australasian College of Surgeons (RACS)
RACS operates a support service for members experiencing stress. This is a confidential service. For more information about this service visit https://www.surgeons.org/member-services/college-resources/racs-support-program/ or call 0800 666 367

Australia and New Zealand College of Anaesthetists (ANZCA)
ANZCA has a ‘Welfare of Anaesthetists’ Special Interest Group.  The group was created to promote the importance of doctors’ physical and mental well-being. Details on this group and resource documents can be found at the following link on the College website.

As well as this special interest group, the College Directors of Professional Affairs are available to give advice and support to ANZCA Fellows and trainees.

Royal Australasian College of Physicians (RACP)
The RACP provides support for trainees in difficulty. For more information visit: http://www.racp.org.nz/trainees/trainee-support-services/trainees-in-difficulty