The Joyful Doctor

07/11/2025

Joy-spotting in the wild…

I love the idea of ‘shatterproof joy’!

24/10/2025

I love this Royston cartoon I have on my desk right now…

It reminds me that I don’t always need ‘fixing’

Some stuff I struggle with I can change

And some stuff I can’t

And it helps to know the difference…

Serenity prayer anyone? 💖🙏

20/09/2025

It’s been a year since the launch of my book “Permission”🥳🎉

19/09/2025

17/09/2025

17/09/2025

17/09/2025

This , we gathered at Docklands Medical Centre to unveil a memorial plaque which honours the health and care professionals we have lost to su***de. Together with Doctors in Distress, notable leaders in the healthcare space, and members of our bereavement group, we reflected, remembered, and spoke about how we will be taking action to protect the wellbeing of our colleagues across the UK.

17/09/2025

Four years ago, Miho, a trainee neurologist, was silently battling overwhelming stress and burnout.

Each day became a struggle — daily panic attacks, sleepless nights, and a constant sense of failure pushed her to the edge. She began to think the only option left was to end her own life.

She said: “I’d cry every evening, dread the next morning, and freeze under pressure. Even answering a simple question felt impossible. I was mentally and physically exhausted. Looking back, it’s frightening how intrusive those thoughts had become.”

Thankfully, Miho reached out for help just in time. She's now learning to prioritise her wellbeing and ask for support — no longer suffering in silence.

“It’s okay not to be okay. Yes, we’re doctors, and we’re expected to be strong but we’re also human.”

Miho’s story is one of survival — but too many others are lost. In the UK alone, an average of four healthcare workers die by su***de every week. Tomorrow, on 17 September, our National Su***de Memorial Day for Health and Care Workers honours those we’ve lost and reaffirms our commitment to protecting the mental health of every healthcare professional fighting in silence.

Join us in remembering those who have died by su***de and help us protect those still with us.
https://doctors-in-distress.org.uk/national-memorial-day/
***deprevention

17/09/2025

Today marks World Su***de Prevention Day — and 8 years since Deep Sirur survived a su***de attempt.

Outwardly, Deep was a successful doctor, husband, and father. Privately, he was battling undiagnosed depression and self-medicating with alcohol.

That day could have ended his story and he would have become one of the tragic statistics of lives lost that we so often quote. Instead, it became the start of his recovery.

Deep now speaks openly to fight the stigma around mental illness and addiction — especially in medicine.

“I wasn’t a bad doctor. I was an ill doctor. And I got help.”

If you’re struggling, please reach out. Don’t wait for luck to give you a second chance.
Read more of Deep's story here https://doctors-in-distress.org.uk/world-su***de-prevention-day-it-could-have-been-me/

***deprevention ***depreventionday

29/08/2025

Rain? What rain? I’m bringing the blue sky…

05/08/2025

🎨 Our online Joyful Painting Days are rapidly becoming some of my favourite days of the year…

I always finish these days feeling rested, re-energised and inspired. And I definitely don’t feel like I’ve spent the day online!

As a complete beginner I have learnt so much about painting from these days… It’s more than just an art-form - it’s a way to have fun with your hands, calm your mind and express things that words cannot touch…

Please join us on Saturday 4th October (10am-4pm), for our next Joyful Painting Day - where we’ll spend the day together online, each creating our own beautiful painting from scratch.

Our amazing Art Teacher Ali will send you all the painting equipment you need ahead of time, and then guide you step-by-step through painting this stunning picture of a bird on the day: ‘Perched Robin’.

💡 FAQ Spotlight: What if I’ve never painted before?

Perfect! This day is designed for beginners, and Ali’s guidance will ensure you feel confident every step of the way. Many of our past participants were complete beginners—and they left with paintings they were proud of - and came back to do it again!

A few Early Bird tickets are still available at just £149 (including VaT and all art supplies) so book now to secure your place.

https://www.joyfuldoctor.com/page/591261-joyful-painting-day-26th-oct-2025

Can’t wait to see you there!