DIARY OF A PSYCHIATRIST.
Dr. Jayant Dhake, President, Nashik Psychiatric Society.
On the occasion of *National Doctors’ Day.*
On this Doctors’ Day, July 1st, we celebrate not just a profession, but a commitment — to healing, to listening, and to walking with people through their most vulnerable moments.
As a psychiatrist, my lens on medicine is deeply human. While others may wield stethoscopes or scalpel blades, my tools are silence, empathy, and the steady unraveling of stories too heavy to carry alone. On this day dedicated to doctors, I reflect not only on the lives we help heal but also on the evolving identity of doctors themselves — especially in mental health.
A Day of Gratitude and Reflection
Doctors’ Day is more than just cake, flowers, or thank-you messages. It is a day to pause and remember why we chose this path. For psychiatrists, it is a reminder that healing doesn’t always mean curing. Often, it means holding space for pain, guiding someone out of a mental fog, or simply being present when hope feels distant.
This year, we acknowledge not only the advancements in medicine but the growing awareness of mental well-being. The stigma is slowly fading, and more people are reaching out for help. This shift is worth celebrating.
Nashik is a not a metro place, but still the mental health issues are rampant. Over the last two decades, Nashik has grown leaps and bounds, in return adding to stress levels. Competition in every field is leading to many health problems, with its origin more in mind than body.
The Psychiatrist’s Role in Modern Medicine
In a world driven by outcomes, psychiatry often sits quietly in the background. But our work is central — invisible perhaps, but indispensable. Mental health touches every specialty. From burnout among colleagues to patients battling depression after chronic illness, our field supports the entire healthcare ecosystem.
Psychiatrists also play a key role in supporting fellow doctors. The weight of responsibility, emotional exhaustion, and moral distress can take a toll. As healers, we must also learn to heal ourselves and each other.
Celebrating the Quiet Wins
Doctors’ Day is about honoring big triumphs and quiet victories. For me, success may look like a patient finally sleeping through the night, expressing emotion after months of numbness, or choosing life after standing at the edge.
We may not always have dramatic before-and-after photos, but our work transforms lives in deep, enduring ways. That, too, is worth celebrating.
Looking Ahead with Compassion
As we celebrate Doctors’ Day, let’s renew our commitment not just to treat, but to understand. Let’s build a medical culture where mental health is prioritized, where doctors are allowed to be human, and where compassion is seen as strength.
To my fellow psychiatrists and all doctors — thank you. For choosing to serve, to care, and to carry the burdens others often hide. This day is for you.
Happy Doctors’ Day. May we continue to heal — one heart, one mind, one life at a time.