Reactions Continue to Parastoo Bakhshi's Suicide; Dr. Basirnia: Healthcare Workers Had No Opportunity to Release Psychological Pressure in Previous Years

Warning: Contains content related to suicide. Nothing is more important than human life. If you are thinking about suicide, please contact these special numbers for help: In Iran: Social Emergency 123, Advisor's Voice 1480, or Tehran Psychiatric Emergency 44508200. In the USA: National Suicide Prevention Lifeline 18002738255, or National Crisis and Suicide Prevention Line 988. Following the news of Parastoo Bakhshi's suicide, a young cardiologist at a hospital in Delfan, attention was once again drawn to the rising suicide rates among healthcare workers in Iran, especially residents. The Ministry of Health's indifference to Dr. Bakhshi's request for a change of location and disregard for her psychiatrist's note recommending rest at home due to severe depression and anxiety, along with the rejection of all these matters by health officials, triggered widespread reactions from the medical and psychiatric community both inside and outside Iran. Mohammad Reza Zafarghandi, Secretary General of the Medical Society, wrote on 'X': 'The indifference of officials to the existing exhausting conditions and imposed regulations is the main reason for the increase in despair, suicide, and emigration of our beloved medical community in Iran.' Dr. Anahita Basirnia, a psychiatrist and member of the Kian Foundation, pointed out the additional pressure on healthcare workers in the past two years, stating: 'During this time, most healthcare workers in Iran have been alongside the people and part of the population, and this became particularly evident in society following the Mahsa uprising. In addition, they rushed to help the injured and stood by the people, even risking their lives.' The Kian Foundation was established by a group of specialists in various medical and psychiatric fields outside Iran at the beginning of the nationwide protests in Iran. This organization assists individuals who have been released from prison and their families, providing virtual services in a safe space to Iranians facing various psychological and physical challenges during this time. Dr. Basirnia, based on her experience providing counseling to healthcare workers in Iran through the Kian Foundation, stated that many healthcare workers, in their efforts to help those who were injured, became acutely aware of the difficult events that occurred for various individuals and often did not find the opportunity to relieve their own psychological pressure. She added: 'A point that is often forgotten is the psychological and emotional support that healthcare workers need to cope with the various pressures and emotions they experience.' She noted that they may sometimes feel guilty for wanting to think about their own health. However, it should be noted that a person who is anxious, depressed, hopeless, angry, and exhausted cannot help others in the best way. Long years of study and the inability to have independent income during all these years, which sometimes exceeds 15 years, along with work pressure, long hours of activity in hospitals, and unfavorable working conditions, are among the reasons that, according to this psychiatrist, have multiplied the pressure on young doctors and healthcare workers. Dr. Anahita Basirnia stated that many countries, after observing the negative effects of burnout among healthcare workers, have adopted policies to prevent these negative effects through measures such as limiting working hours and providing various supports during education. Another reason for the increased pressure on young healthcare workers in Iran is the lack of a bright future and not reaching the goals they have studied and worked for over the years. Previously, Dr. Arash Alaei, who has also become familiar with the problems and concerns of healthcare workers in Iran through the activities of the 'Mahsa Medical' group, told Voice of America that these individuals realize after a while that they have become machines that prescribe medication for patients and see that members of society, for various reasons including economic problems and restrictions imposed by the government, are unable to achieve 'well-being,' and their problems add to the burdens of those active in the health sector. Dr. Basirnia also pointed out the difficult path that young health activists in Iran are traversing. She said: 'These young people, after passing the entrance exam with very high ranks, must study for 7 to 8 years, which is about twice as long as many other professions. After that, they are forced to work in deprived areas and are separated from their families and friends, while at the same time needing to prepare for the comprehensive entrance exam for the specialization course.' Dr. Basirnia added: 'If they succeed in this exam, they will study for about 4 more years, alongside multiple shifts and very low income, and after finishing their specialization, they will again have to serve in remote areas.' The Tehran University Medical Association conducted a study showing that in a resident community of 204 people, over 93% of them, or 188 individuals, had experienced 'burnout' and were contemplating suicide. The newspaper 'Etemad' reported on January 17 of last year, quoting Babak Shekarchi, Deputy for Education and Research of the Medical System Organization, that in the same year, 16 medical residents committed suicide within 10 months. The Ministry of Health's claim: The cause of Parastoo Bakhshi's death is still unclear; we fully cooperated with her. The Secretary General of the Medical Society: The pressures on young doctors, residents, and assistants have reached a warning level. The medical community's reaction to Parastoo Bakhshi's suicide; a lot of effort to reach a job without a future. The response of the country's medical system to Parastoo Bakhshi's suicide; formation of a 'fact-finding committee' and a request for accountability from the responsible parties. Concerns about resident suicides and criticism of the Ministry of Health for keeping statistics confidential. Iranian media reported a fivefold increase in the suicide rate in the medical community. Exclusive: Dr. Attari: The 'Educational Justice Law' is a cage that the government has built to prevent the emigration of elites. Warning from the Psychiatric Association to Raisi: The health system is collapsing with the resident suicide crisis. The suicide of '13 residents' in one year; a union official: Our hope for the future has diminished! Voice of America's report on the wave of doctor emigration; practicing medicine in Iran is 'a hundred times harder' than emigrating.