That’s the message from Dr Geoffrey Toogood, a cardiologist in Frankston, Victoria. He is a long-time campaigner for doctors' mental health. Last year he launched his own 'Odd Socks Day' on social media, to raise awareness of the issue. The campaign went viral.
#CrazySocks4Docs will be held on Friday, June 1.
Dr Toogood, who has spoken and written extensively about his own mental health issues, said awareness of mental illness among doctors was key.
“Doctors need to look after each other, so that we can look after everyone else,” Dr Toogood said.
Queenslanders urged to get involved
Dr Toogood urged delegates at the Queensland Autumn Symposium, which will be held on Thursday, 31 May and Friday, 1 June at the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre, to get into the spirit of the day.
“If everyone wears their colourful, zany, funky, silly, odd socks and we get a full lecture room, and then share the photos on social media, that’s what the day is all about – creating awareness in the medical profession,” Dr Toogood said.
Join the campaign #CrazySocks4Docs @CrazySocks4Docs.
ACEM support
ACEM has a number of options to support trainees throughout their training and beyond, and FACEMs’ health and wellbeing.
ACEM’s online discussion forum is available to all trainees and physicians, providing an opportunity to share resources to help prevent, identify, and address burnout in oneself, exchange ideas on the way to balance life and work, and connect with co-workers.