SEEKING BEHAVIORAL
HEALTH TREATMENT

The Board of Osteopathic Medicine and Surgery (board) encourages osteopathic physicians and osteopathic physician assistants to seek mental health treatment when needed. Accepting that you are struggling with a mental health issue can be quite challenging by itself.  Fearing that the board may find out should never hold you back from seeking treatment. 

When an osteopathic physician seeks mental health care, notification to the board is not necessary. When applying for a new medical license in Washington, the application will ask only if you have a medical condition that in any way impairs or limits your ability to practice your profession with reasonable skill and safety.  Past or present mental health treatment would not require an affirmative answer to this question, unless you currently cannot practice safely.

Seeking behavioral health services are important. Don’t delay if mental health issues are affecting your life. Just as with any physical ailment, the sooner you seek treatment, the better. As with any medical condition HIPPA is at play with regard to your privacy and protection. Your employee assistance program, regular behavioral health provider or insurance provider may be able to connect you with services.

Another important reason to seek care is that your health affects your patients. Data from The Washington Physician Health Program (WPHP) has revealed many benefits beyond addressing the underlying illness: Healthy doctors means delivering better care, decreased medical errors, increased patient satisfaction, lower malpractice rates and better treatment outcomes overall.

If you feel you have an impairing or potentially impairing health condition, contact WPHP for resources to get the help you need. Health care professionals who self-refers to WPHP will not be reported to their disciplinary authority when following WPHP’s recommendations, as long as they do not pose a risk to themselves or others.

If you need someone to talk to about stress due to COVID-19 you can also call Washington Listens at 1-833-681-0211. Someone is available to talk from Monday - Friday, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., and weekends from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.

If you are in crisis, you can call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline 24 hours a day, seven days a week, at 800-273-8255. Press 1 for the Veterans Helpline.

You can also get help by texting "HEAL" to the Crisis Text Line at 741741 or contacting Lifeline Crisis Chat.