On December 5, 2021, I posted something that changed my life forever

Feb 16, 2025

On December 5, 2021, I posted something that changed my life:

"My name is Dr. Jake. I’m a physician who treats mental illness, and I take medication for my mental health. And by the way, I’m proud of it."

If you had told me years ago that I’d share my own mental health struggles with millions of people, I wouldn’t have believed you. Because for a long time, I thought doctors weren’t supposed to struggle.

The Culture of Silence in Medicine

I wanted to be a doctor since I was five years old. I dedicated 22 years, three degrees, and tens of thousands of hours to making that dream a reality. And I love this job.

But medical training tested my mental health in ways I never imagined.

The first time I watched someone die from COVID-19 in the ER, I stood frozen as doctors worked frantically—ribs cracking under compressions. Then they called the time of death, left the room, and moved on. No debrief. No time to process. Just silence.

In medicine, we’re trained to push through exhaustion, grief, and trauma. But we don’t always come out unscathed.

🔹 1 in 9 medical students have seriously considered suicide.
🔹 Only 15% of medical students with depression seek help.
🔹 Physicians have one of the highest suicide rates of any profession.

Yet many doctors fear seeking mental health care. Why? Because in some states, disclosing past mental health treatment can jeopardize your medical license—even if you’re healthy and fully capable of practicing.

For years, that fear kept me from getting help. Until I hit a breaking point.

The Post That Went Viral

With sweaty palms and trembling hands, I hit "post" on December 5, 2021.

"My name is Dr. Jake. I’m a physician who treats mental illness, and I take medication for my mental health. And by the way, I’m proud of it."

Alongside it, I shared a photo of myself in scrubs, a pill in my mouth.

Within 24 hours, millions had seen it. Thousands shared their own experiences, thanking me for speaking up. But I also received hate:

"I wouldn’t let that doctor take care of me."

That’s when I realized just how deep the stigma around mental health runs—especially in medicine.

Why I Chose to Speak Up

I didn’t share my story because it was easy. I shared it because I needed to be the doctor I wish I had seen growing up.

I wanted pre-meds, med students, and young doctors to know:
✔ It’s okay to struggle.
✔ Taking medication or going to therapy doesn’t make you weak.
✔ Getting help doesn’t make you any less of a doctor.

Doctors aren’t superheroes. We’re human. And real strength isn’t pretending you’re invincible—it’s knowing when to ask for help.

How I Got Involved With the Dr. Lorna Breen Heroes’ Foundation

Along my journey, I connected with The Dr. Lorna Breen Heroes’ Foundation, a nonprofit dedicated to protecting healthcare workers’ mental health by reducing burnout, breaking stigma, and increasing access to care.

Dr. Lorna Breen was a brilliant ER doctor who died by suicide at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. Like so many, she was afraid that seeking mental health treatment would end her career.

To honor her legacy, the foundation works to:
✅ Advocate for policy reform (changing medical licensing questions about mental health).
✅ Advise hospitals on well-being initiatives to prevent burnout.
✅ Fund research & programs that support clinician mental health.

I started volunteering with the foundation, then traveled to Washington, D.C., to push for The Dr. Lorna Breen Health Care Provider Protection Act—a groundbreaking law dedicated to healthcare worker mental health. Now, I serve on the Board of Directors, working to ensure doctors, nurses, and medical students get the support they deserve.

What the Dr. Lorna Breen Act Does & Why It Matters

The Dr. Lorna Breen Health Care Provider Protection Act has already:
✅ Provided suicide prevention resources tailored for healthcare workers.
✅ Developed mental health programs for hospitals and medical schools.
✅ Funded workplace initiatives to reduce burnout.

But this law is at risk of expiring—and without funding, these life-saving programs could disappear.

How You Can Help (30 Seconds, Free & Easy)

🛑 Tell Congress to reauthorize this law.

✅ Use this quick tool to email your representatives:

Take Action

Healthcare workers dedicate their lives to saving others. Let’s make sure they get the support they need.

My Own Mental Health Today

Looking back, I’m grateful I got help when I did.

I took medication for about two years during medical training, and it helped me tremendously. Today, my mental health is in a great place.

I still go to therapy when needed. And if I ever start to feel depressed again, I’ll have no problem restarting medication, no problem reaching out for help, and no problem taking care of my mental health—without fear of stigma.

That’s what I hope for you, too.

If you’re struggling, please know this: You are not alone. And you don’t have to do it alone.

If you ever feel like you’re in crisis, please reach out for support. Call 988 (Crisis Lifeline) or visit nami.org for mental health resources.

With gratitude,
Dr. Jake

Thank you for reading.
I’m so grateful you’re here. Thank you for investing in your health and taking steps toward a balanced life. We’re in this together.

Let’s keep the conversation going:
Curious about something or have a topic you’d love me to dive into in a future newsletter? Let me know - I read every comment and do my best to respond to as many as I can. Your ideas inspire the next big discussion!

Mental Health Movement by Dr. Jake Goodman

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