Advocacy and Mental Health Awareness

The pathway to becoming (and remaining) a DO is not easy.

It’s fraught with obstacles that affect not only the DOs themselves, but their families.

The unique challenges of the spouses of DOs can be improved by creating community with one another… and when the families of DOs feel supported, those DOs are empowered to do their best work and remain in the profession long-term.

Creating that community is what the AAOA does.

Below is our list of partners for Mental Health Awareness.

Mind Split Café - Mental Health and Wellness

Mind Split Café is a platform focused on mental wellness and recovery. One of the most prominent ways that Mind Split Café promotes these resources is through their podcast that explores mental health, substance abuse, personal growth, and healing through conversations and storytelling. Mind Split Café also publishes a quarterly magazine that shares insights, stories, and guidance around mental health and self-discovery.

AAOA invited Mind Split Café to the OMED 2025 Nashville Conference, where they discussed and shared mental health resources with our members. In connection to this partnership, Mind Split Café has created three mental health toolkits, with a focus on common issues that medical students face on their journey to becoming DOs.

Quick Toolkit for Wellness and Mental Health

Clinical Rotation Mental Health Toolkit

How to Approach a Friend or Colleague About Substance Use

Disclaimer: The information and views expressed in these mental health toolkits are intended for educational and informational purposes only. They are meant to serve as a general guide and should not be considered a substitute for professional medical, psychological, or mental health advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Individuals should consult a qualified healthcare provider regarding any questions or concerns about their mental health.

Yellow Ribbon Suicide Prevention Program

Recognizing the importance of promoting good mental health among physicians, the AAOA has partnered with the Yellow Ribbon Suicide Prevention Program to educate and raise awareness for suicide prevention. We provide Yellow Ribbon Ask 4 Help!® Cards to our affiliates and medical schools.

NAMI, National Alliance on Mental Illness

We have added an additional partner for mental health. NAMI is the nation’s largest grassroots mental health organization dedicated to building better lives for the millions of Americans affected by mental illness.

What started as a small group of families gathered around a kitchen table in 1979 has blossomed into the nation's leading voice on mental health. Today, they are an alliance of more than 600 local Affiliates and 49 State Organizations who work in your community to raise awareness and provide support and education that was not previously available to those in need.

We are partnering with them on adding additional teaching resources at the COMs, working on providing materials for doctors, patients and caregivers with the AOA, tools on this website, an SAA/IRAA Seminar, and we created a mental health bracelet with part of the proceeds going to NAMI. These bracelets can be purchased each year at our table during the AOA House of Delegates and/or OMED.