Hi everyone, my name is Ed and I am a junior doctor based in the South West.

Earlier this year I was super grateful to all that helped me raised £780 for the charity "Doctors in Distress" when I ran two half marathons in scrubs.

However, in 2024 I want to do more...

As such, I will be running at least 5km in scrubs every day in 2024.

Follow the journey here:

https://www.instagram.com/scrubsrun/

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The why:

I know many of you reading this will be medics (or their loved ones / friends) and as such will fully understand the unique stresses and emotional fatigue put on healthcare workers. These stresses are often compounded by the stoic nature of medics never wanting to seek help. 

Doctors in Distress is a wonderful charity set up by Amandip Sidhu after the tragic death of his cardiologist brother, Dr Jagdip Sidhu, in 2018. Jagdip worked to the point of burnout and felt that he only had one way to escape his suffering. He didn't feel he was able to ask for help. 

Currently, rates of staff burnout in the NHS are at 34%, with the suicide rate for healthcare staff being 24% higher than the national average. For female nurses, the rate is 4x the national average.

Doctors in Distress run awareness and support campaigns to promote and protect the mental health of ALL healthcare workers (not just doctors). Founder Amandip was asked to speak alongside Adam Kay at the planting of "Shruti's Tree," the first memorial to healthcare workers that have lost their lives to Suicide in the UK. 

In addition, Doctors in Distress also facilitate support groups for staff to discuss and seek help for their mental health. Through these groups, staff can find a safe space to seek the help they need. 

Thank you so much for your support :)

https://doctors-in-distress.org.uk/

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My running challenge:

As described above, I will be running at least 5km in scrubs every day in 2024. No days off, no excuses (if in doubt I will still walk the 5km!).

I say at least 5km, as I have some longer runs planned including some city half marathon events.

If you are remotely interested in following my challenge, you can follow me on instagram at "scrubsrun".