Crazy Socks 4 Docs Day - 2025
Doctors in New South Wales recently went on strike for the first time in over two decades this April. Junior Vice President at The Doctors Union, Tom Morrison, gave an articulate summary of “why” in his interview with the ABC if you want to catch up. Amongst other things, it was for safer working conditions. Burnout and the mental health crisis is at a breaking point for those in medicine. That’s why the work that Dr. Geoff Toogood does with Crazy Socks 4 Docs is so important. It helps break the stigma for (and provides support to) those in medicine who are experiencing poor mental health.
A panel discussion for Crazy Socks 4 Docs Day 2025 was held at Fiona Stanley Hospital in Perth, Western Australia today, and the core messages go back to the basics:
Challenges don’t just disappear. Challenges exist at every stage of your medical career. Everyone goes through challenges but until you talk about them with each other you will always feel like you’re the only one; and that it’s a negative reflection on your resilience and abilities (when it’s not)
Neglect is a common warning sign. Neglecting self-care, neglecting to provide considered rostering or overtime or access to leave, neglecting hobbies, neglecting social events and connections, neglecting to notice an increase in sick days, etc. Withdrawal and irritability are a couple of the biggest subtle warning signs that something is not okay with someone
Wellbeing is everyone’s responsibility. Doctors in more senior, supervisory, and leadership positions need to be part of the solution in the prevention of, identification of, and recovery from poor mental health events
You’re not the diagnostician in this scenario. When you recognise someone may not be okay, start the conversation with open questions (e.g. how are you going? or are you feeling okay?) then listen to them in a non-judgmental way
Sort out the basics. When you recognise someone is in distress, get them something to eat, get them something to drink, give them time to go to the toilet…
Sometimes people just need a little bit of encouragement to get the support they need. Doctors having their own GP is very important but not every doctor has one
Doing small things consistently will have a big impact. Stick with the simple things like eating well, sleeping, exercising, keeping hobbies, spend time with family and friends. We can’t always do everything, but we can always do one or two things (e.g. when you’re not sleeping then at least make sure you’re getting good nutrition in your diet)
Many thanks to the four panelists who gave their time and their insights in support of better mental health for doctors:
Dr. Geoff Toogood, Founder of the Crazy Socks 4 Docs Foundation and Cardiologist
A/Prof Helen Wilcox, Medical Director at DHASWA (Moderator) and General Practitioner
A/Prof Jon Ho Chan, Chief Wellbeing Officer at Fiona Stanley Hospital and Rehabilitation Physician
Dr. Renae Long, Junior Doctor at Fiona Stanley Hospital, President of the Stanley Medical Officers’ Society, and Doctors in Training Representative for PMC WA and AMA (WA)
What’s one back to basics thing you can encourage the doctors in your life to do to protect and promote their good mental health?
There is evidence that professional coaching (provided by a credentialled non-doctor professional coach) can reduce burnout for doctors - have a read of this article by Dr. Evelyn Lewin for RACGP News. Is this something you’d like to explore? Drop us an email at info@helloagility.com.au. Lai-Ling is a Professional Certified Coach with the International Coaching Federation, holds a Master of Science in Coaching Psychology, and is definitely not a medical doctor!