Crazy Socks for Docs

Whether they are hot pink and covered in green alien faces, blue cow print, purple hot dogs, spots or zig zags get your whackiest socks out of that bottom draw.

Friday 5 June is Crazy Socks for Docs Day – aimed at raising awareness of the mental health of all doctors and health practitioners around the world.

In its fourth year, the movement was created by the College’s Associate Fellow Dr Geoff Toogood to address the stigma associated with mental health and to make it “ok for a doctor not to be ok”. Crazy Socks for Docs works to normalise the conversation about mental welfare, while creating a safe place to seek help.

As the COVID-19 pandemic continues in various ways across our healthcare system, a wave of fatigue is setting in for much of the medical workforce after such a prolonged heightened sense of activity and anticipation.  Doctors and medical leaders are not immune to the emotional and mental impacts of this public health crisis and the daily pressures of work.  Doctors not only have to look after their own individual wellbeing, it is critical to support and look out for colleagues – fit and well health practitioners are crucial to deliver quality healthcare for the whole community.

“As health care workers and leaders, we need to embrace our vulnerability in this unprecedented time and support all those around us,” Dr Toogood said.

“We also need to work together at this time.”

This year Crazy Socks for Docs Day will be kick-started with a virtual forum from 7.45am – 9am.  A panel of experts working in the mental health field will discuss COVID -19 and the health implications for those at the coal face. The panel includes:

• Ms Christine Morgan – Chief Executive Officer, National Mental Health Commission and National Suicide Prevention Adviser to the PM
• Prof. Ian Hickie – Co-Director (Health and Policy), University of Sydney, Brain and Mind Centre
• Ms Georgie Harman – Chief Executive Officer, Beyond Blue
• A/Prof. Tony Walker ASM – Chief Executive Officer, Ambulance Victoria
• Prof. Michael Kidd – Principal Medical Advisor and Deputy Chief Medical Officer, Department of Health
• Prof. Michael Myers – Professor of Clinical Psychiatry, SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University (New York)

Click HERE to register for the event.

The College encourages its members and all medical leaders to get involved. All you have to do is wear bright, crazy or odd socks, take a photo of the socks or you in the socks and post the photo on Twitter, Instagram or Facebook with the handles #crazysocks4docs or #socks4docs.

For more information visit https://www.crazysocks4docs.com.au/