ABSTRACT
The doctors’ support network is a voluntary sector ‘self-help’ organisation set up to provide a forum for support and contacts for doctors who are or who have been suffering from any sort of mental illness. The doctors’ support line is the telephone service open to all doctors practising in the UK, whether they are struggling with personal problems, work relationships or work problems. It developed from a collaboration between the Doctors’ support network and the charity. The doctors’ support network has set up an email forum. This is a confidential group of 60 or more doctors which provides support, encouragement and advice for a range of personal and work-related problems. A culture that both supports doctors and helps them function to the best of their ability. Patients will ultimately benefit from being cared for by healthier, happier doctors who possess a greater awareness of themselves and those around them, including their patients.
