Wellness Resources

Residency training is a time of tremendous personal and professional growth. It can also be very stressful. Residency training has long been identified as a high risk time for symptomatic levels of stress, burnout and depression. Between 22 and 43% of residents experience some level of depression during residency and 50-75% suffer from burnout. Suicide, although quite rare, is a leading cause of death among residents. If you have concerns about a resident’s level of wellness, please talk to them and encourage them to seek help. If you have concerns about a resident’s suicide risk, consult with the Associate Dean for GME (ADGME). For any resident who needs some professional assistance, multiple resources are available. 

  1. An employee assistance program is provided for all residents and fellows by their employing hospital. This program provides professional, confidential assistance by a counselor to anyone in need. This is free, and no record of contact with the counselor is placed in your medical records, Health Service records or personnel file. All contact is kept confidential, except as required by law or in situations deemed potentially life-threatening.

             Springfield Programs

                 Springfield Memorial Hospital Employee Assistance Program:  217-788-9345

                  HSHS St. John's Hospital Employee Assistance Program:  877-327-7429

             Affiliate Programs

                 Alton Memorial Hospital Employee Assistance Program:  888-505-6444

                 Decatur Memorial Hospital Employee Assistance Program: 217-788-9345

                 Blessing Hospital Employee Assistance Program:  800-586-5882

                 Memorial Hospital of Carbondale Employee Assistance Program:  800-356-0845

  1. Any resident or fellow who is in need of brief psychiatric intervention by a psychiatric has available to them one evaluation and up to six follow-up visits, free of charge and no questions asked. Any resident or fellow wishing to utilize this service can contact the Office of Graduate Medical Education (217-545-8853) and be assigned a confidential number. All treatment information is kept confidential except as required by law, or if the resident gives permission.  Participating psychiatrists are: 

              Springfield

                 Memorial Specialty Care Psychiatry

                   Clinic Manager: 217-862-0115

                SIU School of Medicine Psychiatrists

                  Clinical Administrator:  217-545-7687

              Alton, Carbondale, Decatur & Quincy

                  SIU School of Medicine Psychiatrists via Telehealth

                     Clinic Administrator:  217-545-7687

  1. The Illinois Professionals Health Program is an advocacy program for impaired Illinois health professionals sponsored by the Illinois State Medical Society, the Illinois State Medical Insurance Exchange and other professional health organizations. This program is available to provide initial intervention, screening and referral services as well as coordination of care and case management for impaired professionals (including substance abuse). They can coordinate intervention services, handle referrals to approved treatment providers for assessment and treatment, and make after-care arrangements. This program is available to all Illinois physicians, residents and medical students. This program is independent from the Illinois Department of Finance and Professional Regulation and has no disciplinary role or authority.
24 hour helpline is 800-215-4357  or http://www.illinoisphp.com/
  1. A variety of interesting materials regarding wellness, stress management and mental health are available at the Office of Graduate Medical Education website at http://www.siumed.edu/gme/resident-well-being.html .