Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine
McGaw Medical Center of Northwestern University McGaw
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Emotional Wellness

Graduate medical training often requires long hours of mentally and physically rigorous work that can be emotionally draining and stressful. McGaw understands and wants to prepare our housestaff for continued success and health throughout their training.

While this is an exciting time, as physicians-in-training you are vulnerable to mood disorders, anxiety, and substance use problems which can derail professional development and personal fulfillment. Please review this slide set to learn more about the signs of burnout, depression, and substance abuse.

With a commitment to help make mental healthcare accessible for residents and fellows, McGaw offers two pathways toward support and care.

  • For acute or urgent issues, trainees should utilize Perspectives for counseling available 24 hours a day. Call or text (800) 456-6327. 
  • For establishing ongoing care with a mental health professional, trainees should utilize the Wellness Program established with our partners at Meridian. The McGaw wellness coordinator at Meridian will respond to your email or call within 48 hours, discuss your needs, and help you establish either short- or longer-term care with an appropriate mental health provider. mcgawwellness@meridianproviders.com | (312) 477-2109

  • The Department of Health and Human Services offers The Lifeline; free and confidential support services for talk, text, and chat assistance for those seeking immediate 24/7 emotional support. Anyone can access via phone by dialing 988, texting 988, or by online chat at https://988lifeline.org/chat/.

As a reminder, McGaw trainees are allowed to attend medical appointments during weekday clinical and educational work hours. Trainees must inform their Program Director in a timely fashion if they will be away to attend a medical appointment.

Following are resources that McGaw has curated for housestaff to help optimize emotional health.

Mental Health and Wellness Services

Mental healthcare and marriage counseling is covered by the trainees' BC/BS-IL health insurance. The following in-network psychiatry providers are willing to see trainees for expedited treatment.

Additional Resources

Adult ADHD

Anxiety and Depression

Eating Disorders

Family Support

Self-Compassion Guided Meditations and Exercises

Sleep Wellness

  • NU Sleep Health Centers
  • Because those in-training can face challenges in their pursuit of good quality sleep on a consistent basis, you will find an educational session on sleep health for housestaff “Sleep and Circadian Health: Residency and Beyond” by Phyllis C. Zee, MD, PhD.  The recording is available online to all McGaw housestaff (NU NetID credentials required for login).

Suicide

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