Thank you to Aura for supporting my mental wellness during this rollercoaster of residency. Get started with Aura today for free & the first 500 people to use my link will also get 25% off+ free trial to the Aura membership: www.aurahealth.io/drrachel

Its so unfair doctors cant talk about mental health your job is so hard and draining. You see some pretty traumatizing things. Are you allowed to have a therapist ? Keep being transparent I feel we have a good space here where theres little judgement lets keep that up. Go Rachel!

Yes for me the medical field is not a dream any longer, it's not worth it anymore!. The system is so corrupt and no regards to workers. I quit my my job as an RN last three years ago after almost 16 years in the field. It was not an easy decision but life is too short to dread going to work everyday. No amount of money can buy real happiness Lol but friends I'm not asking you to resign from your job or abandon your business but be wise! 💯

I've just started my first year as a Doctor in the U.K and every sentence you said resonated with how I've felt starting in this profession. "I'm not tired I'm just emotionally drained", I'm okay when at the hospital but when I leave I reflect and feel so overwhelmed. I respect you so much for talking openly about it. You're right, it needs to be talked about more how difficult it is and that it is normal to feel this way. Keep looking after yourself, you're doing great!

You’re not alone Rachel. Everyone who goes into medical school, nursing school, anything medical. The beginning is HARD, my first few years of nursing I was drowning, had absolutely no one to look up to as it was just so busy, and questions I had I was always made to feel, “are you really asking this question”, so I just figured it all out on my own and I’m a better nurse for it. Hang in there, I admire you so much.

Looking forward to the video. I will say, we have a family friend who is also in his 1st year of residency and he’s struggling. He felt so comfortable his last year of medical school. He felt so confident! He said he feels like he’s starting from square one where he knows nothing and doubts himself. You both will overcome this!! You’re a rockstar, Rafiki. ❤❤

I cried watching your video, because I am having a really hard time in the hospital too and I am not sure want to do. The pressure keeps getting bigger and it's mentally draining.

I'm a high school teacher. I teach Health Science classes, including medical terminology. I am so proud of my former students becoming doctors, nurses, athletic trainers, etc. Your brief talk of pay for certain Target workers being more than what residents get. I get it. Teachers in America are not payed for the amount of work we do on contract and off contract. I understand how you feel. I'm praying for you and all nurses and doctors. Mental health is important for everyone. Take care.

You’re a human being before a doctor. Do what you need to do to make sure you’re okay and you’ll be better at anything you do. I’m sending you positive vibes! You got this😊

I appreciate how you maintain professionalism while also being transparent. I think a lot of young professionals like ourselves struggle maintaining professionalism over social media.

Rachel….YOU Got this!😊😊😊

It’s okay to not be okay. You can be mad, frustrated, or straight up hate your job/residency. You’re human. Be kind to yourself ❤️

oh Rachel 😓 The transition from school to work is so hard! People don't talk about it enough. But it does get better! I had the same experience and ended up going on antidepressants. I was v cautious of them for so long but after a year of feeling down I went on them and it was the best decision ever. I genuinely don't understand how people DONT go on them during that transition. But you got this!!! Just don't suffer. You don't need to. So proud of you.

I remember residency. I graduated in 2016 so it’s been a few years but those “bad days” come and go. I think making sure you have someone in your class that you can confide in and someone not related to medicine at all that you can confide in. Also you must find your life outside of being a doctor so you have real outlets and an understanding that you really are human and being a doctor is just like a job at target. It was the only way I made it through. Don’t let being a doctor define you and you’ll realize how much of a privilege it is to do the things you get to do. The trust that people have in you. Their life really is in your hands. Give all your patients the utmost respect. Treat them as though they are your family. Care for them. Give them your best. Residency FLIES by and before you know it you’re applying for a real job as an attending or in a private practice. I’m happy to be an ear for you if you need it. Love that I found your channel. You’re doing a great job sharing real life to those that may be interested.

Dr. Southard, you were meant to be a physician and because its not abnormal to feel how you are feeling. When I started nursing school almost 20 years ago, I went through some of the same stuff, but I quickly learned to adapt and do stress relief activities like you do. It helped quite a bit. We are that way and that is part of what makes us great in our respective professions. I am now a practicing ARNP. Keep on trucking Dr. Southard. You'll do great and wonderful things that you know not!!!

I work at a call center and I’ve worked a few call centers all my adult life. I don’t feel much weight in the job I do but interacting with people all day as a customer service person has drained me. I had my first call today where a customer made me cry. I felt terrible and even more terrible because that is so unlike me and I can’t figure out why this particular customer held so much power over me. Anyway it just made me realize I need to find a less customer facing job because I don’t think I have anything left in me to give. Loved the video, not because you were sad but misery does love company I guess. To brighter days ahead❤

Take it day by day. I’m a retired RN and I assure you I had days just like yours throughout my whole career. I think the first year of residency is probably the toughest. Be strong! You got this!

Rachel, I’m an ER nurse of 3.5 years. I had NOOOOOOO CLUE what I was getting myself into. At first it was amazing learning all the new things but as time has gone on and I’ve seen and done things unimaginable it has left me exhausted, hating humanity and every single shift I have anxiety and leave having had the worst day ever, and it just keeps getting worse. In nursing school no one taught us the shit we would have to deal with but real life sucks and we see people at their lowest points and everything is always our fault. The amount of body fluids that have ended up o. Me, holding a mother as she grieves her dead infant, delivering news of cancer to someone, while the psych patient assaults my coworkers down the hall… I’ve learned to roll with the punches and my team of nurses and docs keeps me alive. I’m going back to school to be an NP and I’m excited to teach one day and maybe do outpatient of some sort. It gets harder each shift to find the silver lining. The medical field is HARD. No one talks about it. Take care of yourself and try your best to find the silver lining ❤️❤️❤️ you are not alone.

I'm a pgy3 in family medicine. Appreciate your strength in showing your experience. Keep going. 🙏🏾🙏🏾

pls do not be sorry. your feelings are so valid and your viewers admire your vulnerability so much. thank you for sharing these moments with us, the good, the bad, and everything real in betweem

I knew what was gonna happen the next day as soon as you said “I don’t want to be depressed.” Worlds is good at kicking us while we’re down. I hope it gets better, I really do.

Once your done with residency you’ll be making over 200K. Your hard work and effort will be worth it.

I so appreciate your vulnerability 💗 So often those in helping professions have a sense of shame or guilt for feeling drained, overwhelmed, and depressed. These are feelings we can't always talk about which magnifies those feelings of being alone. It is really powerful that you are allowing yourself to feel all the feelings - joy, sadness, frustration. You are doing your very best - I hope you are as gentle to yourself as possible. The Herd appreciates you!

Hi Dr Southard, I've been following your page since your first year of med school and I can't believe you're in your first year of residency already!! We are all so proud of you. Please continue to speak about your mental health and well-being to others, even if it's your camera in these vlogs. WE HEAR YOU. Life as we get older feels like constant up and downs, when it's not one thing, it's another. You are so inspiring and I would love to have you as my doctor one day. Continue to be your authentic self, you will overcome this too! ❤

I rarely comment here, but I want to take the time and share my deep appreciation for all you do. I know residency most be so draining and time consuming at times, yet you still post. As someone who is applying to medical school next year and also wants to pursue ob/gyn, I cannot begin to express how thankful I am you are always transparent with us and continue to document your journey. You got this Rachel💕

Dr. Rachel, you are amazing. Don’t worry about us, you expressing your emotions doesn’t make you weak, it makes you real. 😘😘

Dr. Rachel, you have to be one of the bravest people ever!! I too have had many vulnerable times...esp lately. I finally caved and made an appt with a psychiatrist...I'm tired of bring tired...and it's affecting every thing about me. I just want to feel better. You got this!!!

It's not even uploaded and I already like it 💖

Please don’t apologize for how you react to the intense stress of your life! Honestly, the way residents are treated when it comes to the hours and the pay for such emotionally distressing work is borderline (if not completely) unethical. It makes complete sense that you’re depressed. Take care of yourself!!

thank you for being so honest about what you're going through. residency sounds so unbelievably stressful and you're such a trooper for doing your best to care for your patients and take care of yourself too. i started therapy and SSRIs during med school and they've really helped my mental health and wellbeing. some days are still rough, but it's helped those lows feel less low. I know that different things work for different people and I don't know if talking to a professional/therapy is an option, but you deserve support as you go through this. Hope you give yourself grace, and I'm sending you strength as you go through this journey!

Sending you a virtual hug. Hospital life is so rough and I want you to know that we see you.

Well done for this vlog. Thank you and you should be proud that you managed to be open and honest with how you are feeling. The followers of you are all here for you and care for you. Carry on being the honest person you are

Sometimes people want to give their two cents instead of just listening!! I find comfort in knowing that you are speaking out! Don’t apologize for your personal feelings! I’m currently going through a difficult season and everyday I deal with the negative feelings by looking at my vision board and stopping to take 15 minutes to imagine the life I want!! I am also a person of faith so that helps tremendously! I tell myself it’s going to be ok constantly even through the tears and I stay with a constant expectation of good. I have learned to get up every morning , every noon and night and expect something good to happen!!! I use to dread the morning, dread the day and dread the night. And even though my circumstances hasn’t changed YET my perspective has changed! What you believe in your mind and in your heart can get you through many hard times!! Keeping going Dr. Rachel Southard we’re here for you good times and bad!!!❤❤❤😊😊

I'm grateful you're choosing to take things day by day. Please always remember there is a community here (outside of your fam/friends) that LOVES you and is here to encourage you as well 100% of the way. You are nothing short of an inspiration to me. It's such a privilege to be doing what you're doing, but the costs it comes with are unjust. You are a fighter, a perseverer (i know that's not a real word;), and a QUEEN. Keep at it mija! Hour by hour. The light may be 4yrs away, but you're getting there! One day at a time, as you said.

Your vulnerability is so beautiful. Thank you for sharing. ❤️

I'm really touched by your honesty... We are all here for you has much as we can be. Always remember that you are truly awesome Rachel. You and others like you make such a difference to every life you touch. The world truly needs more people like you because you make a real difference, a LIFE changing difference - THANK YOU 😊

I’ve always was curious about what nurses and doctors go through and feel bc when ppl get hurt or have an emergency they expect you guys to help them and I just feel like people forget to show gratitude and appreciation for the doctors and nurses

THANK YOU always for your authenticity and for being transparent about your journey in a respectful manner. I think it is wonderful that you are this compassionate about not only your patients but your viewers. It is really heartwarming to watch your professional and personal growth and I am sure, like all the other obstacles you have faced, you will find the path that enhances this journey for you!

Love how open you are, it reminds me, and I’m sure many others that it’s okay to say I’m not okay right at the moment. You got this! 🖤

Rachael!! Your doing great and soo grateful for you and your videos!!! You got this, sending you good vibes and a huge spiritual hug!! 🫶🏽🫶🏽

I am so so proud of you Rachel! Thank you for continuing to document your experiences with us. Don’t be sorry for sharing the real you, it’s all we are here for, you. I’m sending you so much love and light in the coming weeks and I hope your heart and mind heal as you grow more confident ❤.

I understand your feelings about being in a difficult phase of life. I can’t relate to being a resident but I understand mental health struggles, stress & burn out. You will find your way and adjust. I’m happy for you that you are making an effort to find a balance. It’ll all work itself out. ❤sending good vibes and prayers for you. 🙏

Thank you for sharing with us! I cannot imagine what you are going through, but know that I am rooting for you! I wish you the best. Sending you love :)

You’re such an inspiration to many! I love your videos. Thank you for always being so true and vulnerable with us ❤

I have so much respect for you for sharing this

Dr Southard .... of course you're going to feel every emotion, including extreme sadness, that's what makes you human. It's refreshing that you are so transparent when it comes to your struggles. ❤💜

Thanks for opening up! Everyone feels the rush of matching and then real life kind of sets in. You’re feelings are real and valid and I’m sure many new interns are feeling this way as well. I hope as the year progresses you feel better.

I'm glad to see you're progressing through the program and appreciate the honesty in your videos. Thank you taking us along with you in this journey Rachel. Best of luck on your endeavors ❤

Dr. Southard, sending PRAYERS your way🙏 🙏and wishing you The BESTIEST of lives 🙏🙏🙏

Thank you for being vulnerable with us

You’re so amazing and strong ! Thank you for sharing how you feel when things are hard, reminds me that it’s ok to feel that way and you’re not alone ❤❤

I haven’t watched you in soo long, congrats on making it through med school into residency, keep doing you Dr. Rachel!

You are so brave, Rachel. The video is very empowering.

Thank you for always be a true person. I watch this people post on instagram how amazing this doctor process is, but I don’t feel this at all. It’s hard, it’s difficult, it drains my mental health every single semester. Thank you for this. Sometimes the best to do is stop putting the amaze glasses and see 100% of reality.

Thank you for sharing your videos and providing great insight about the path to becoming a physician. Life is filled with ups and downs - no matter your profession or your lot in life. Some periods are more stressful than others - but if they are a means to an end and will help you achieve your goals and your passion in life, you learn to roll with the punches, knowing that it will only make you stronger! ❤

Thank you Rachel for being vulnerable and real with us. You got this! Make sure to implement a few minutes each day to your mental health. Looking forward to your residency journey 😊❤

Dr. Southard, thank you for being transparent and authentic, I enjoy how real you are and the lessons that you teach with your videos, I’m an aspiring physician and feel like I can be a little more prepared for the future thanks to your videos, don’t ever stop making videos and sharing your real experiences 😄

You got this 💜 I’m rooting for you

Hi Rachel, been watching your channel since you took the MCAT. I just finished my first test of medical school today. Thank you for being so transparent through your journey, you are definitely a beacon of light to the rest of us in the medical family! Thank you also for addressing harsh topics even with the fear of backlash, you are very brave.

PA-S3 here, struggling through my rural family med rotation. You videos and transparency get me through!

It’s okay if your not okay Rachel! It seems like medical school students build up all this excitement for residency and when it comes it takes a toll because you are working so many hours, learning new skills and expected to keep it all together. Rachel, please give yourself some grace, you are so inspiring! Your body is trying to adjust to shift work as well which would be really hard. We are all behind you and we love you Rachel ❤

You have inspired me so much in my life, Rachel. God Bless you!!!!!! You are a gift to the world as a doctor!!!! 🥰🥰✨✨💖💖💖

Thank you for this! I’m currently going through residency and have been feeling so emotionally exhausted and this really helped me not feel like I’m the only one ❤

Thank you for being real and raw (about how you feel). I am experiencing similar feelings as a new grad bedside nurse. Praying for you. ❤

Oh Rachel we love you no matter what, and we are your supportive loving family. We truly understand what you’re going through, and I hope from the bottom of my heart that you feel better. Please don’t say sorry for feeling down, you are a human too. ❤❤❤

God be with you. You have a rewarding career. You are working in a field that positively impacts others!

Thank you for this video and just being honestly and vulnerable.

You got this. You went through probably one of the toughest times ever when you were going through medical school. If you can do that then you can do anything.

Long time viewer and current M4 doing my sub-I's and audition rotations and you really hit the nail right on the head when describing the daily mental health struggle of being in medicine. I obviously only got a taste of it but gosh these long days at the hospital can be so draining and keeping it together and always being "on" during long shifts can be so exhausting! Hoping it will get better eventually

I love watching your videos. You've got this and it will all work out for you. Anything medical interests me and has for a very long time. Hugs to you!!!

We are rooting for you!!!

Dr. Southard, you are strong and you will get through this. You are amazing and you are a RED ANT! I love how transparent you are, it really gives everybody an insight on medicine. We love you!

Thank you for the work you do for society

The first year is horrific. There is no other way to say it. It does get better. You just need to prioritize self care. Walks, hikes, getting close to nature whenever possible, and getting together with friends when you can. Always keep something to look forward to. Make sure you have a therapist to talk things through and that you have team support and a team to debrief when hard things happen. Stay strong, the only way to get through it is to get through it.❤

Hang in there Rachel. You are appreciated and you will get back to a place of joy again. I’m sure the life of a resident is hard but you will make it thru to the other side!

Its ok to feel everything you are feeling. You’re learning a lot of new things, you’re taking on emotional burden of being new at this, and you’re taking on emotions (good and bad) of your patients. You have a lot to juggle! No WONDER you are feeling this way!! This too shall pass, it will get easier, you will find a stride, and you will feel better soon. Let yourself feel the way you’re feeling. Its all valid. I love these videos, and how raw and honest it is. Wr are all on your side❤

Thank you for sharing the realities of healthcare and what students go through to achieve their dreams. Whether that be as a med student or as a resident. Thank you thank you thank you

Thank you so much for making the video and glad you are doing well and enjoying your work at the hospital 🏥 Rachel! 😊

I’ve been watching you since you entered med school and I was entering law school. Life has gotten so busy and I lost touch of your videos. I’m so glad I’m back on KZfaq and you’re crushing it! We are in different fields but going through the same things. Keep doing what you’re doing and delivering those babies ❤

Hi Rachel, I‘ve been watching your videos for two or three years now and I just got into med school in Germany. Your videos are so inspiring and whenever I get self-doubts about my decision to go into medicine I watch one of your videos and your passion motivates me so much! I really hope I can be as passionate as a doctor as you are, because you are such an inspiration! Also thank you for showing us ALL of the highs and the lows of your job! I haven‘t seen any youtuber portraying med school and being a doctor in such a realistic way as you do.

Hi Rachel! I’ve never commented before but I just want to thank you for talking about this. I’m a PGY-1 inpatient pharmacy resident and I just finished an 11 day stretch and have been struggling. We got this! ❤

I love when people show their hard times too…it’s so relatable

Ability to relate/empathy is wonderful to have as a physician ❤️ we love you!!! My PCP is very empathetic too 😀

I've had similar feelings. I just had to allow my self to feel it and process. I had to remember it won't always feel like that. When one day at a time was hard I had to take it one hour at time and not going to lie even 10 min at time. I think you're amazing, depressed, stressed and all.

Hey, just keep pushing, Dr. Southard and keep doing the things you're doing to take care of you and your mental health. ❤😊🤗

Hey Rachel! I'm an M2 who's gotten through a lot of my premed journey watching your vlogs. One of the reasons I have loved watching your vlogs (and I'm sure you get this a lot) is your vulnerability and transparency, and you have shown it once again here! You are an amazing doctor and I know you're going to get through this!! Please take care of yourself whenever you do get a chance :)

Girl, I'm doing a check-in on u and everyone out there! If anyone wants to talk or just cry I'm here mental health is important I'll listen I'm not a Dr. Or a therapist but sometimes talking to someone you Dont is better .

You got this baby 💪💪 ik how it feels ❤ you're trying your best and that's more than enough

You are doing great! Its okay to feel that way! You inspire me Dr. Rachel

Hugs. I'm sorry you are struggling, but I'm grateful for you sharing.

Hi Rachel, I rarely comment on YT, but I’m here. Thank you for being so honest 💖🦄 I see myself in you, I know what you’re going through. Unfortunately, people nowdays rarely have sympathy, they think everyone needs to be like them, I’m fed up with that. Sending big, warm hug all the way from Croatia 🇭🇷🥰🍀

You can do this Rachel! There experience has to be so much stress and overworking. Learning an be so hard. One day at a time works in just about every situation. Mental health is as important as physical health. The not so good days help you appreciate the good days.

You will do fine. I have no doubt whatsoever bc you are already awfully strong and that will carry you forward. Built yourself up on the solid foundation you've previously created and keep going. ❤

You’re doing exactly what you’re meant to do! Celebrate the small wins and remember them on the bad days. We are all rooting for you Dr. Southard! P.S. I love to listen to Spring Gang! That song is perfect!

You're doing so great because of all those thoughts. Not everyone is able to reach that level of mind. I believe you gonna be fine. Love you. Sincerely

Hey Rachel... Super old fan and follower here. Just wanted to say that I get it and that every single one of your feelings is legitimate. Our (med students & residents) emotional state should be a topic of discussion, the wage should be a topic of discussion and same goes for the long hours, the loans and so much more. The system does require addressing. Thank you for your ongoing honesty in this beautiful magical uphill battle we call medicine ❤

Thank you Racheal for the video and thank you for being honest! I hope people who are in charge of residency stuff watch this video and think about that. I think they should think about taking care of residents physically and mentally as it is very important to the community. Thank you once again for being transparent and honest, it is priceless! Looking forward for watching your next video!❤️

thanks for this love, I was a consultant back home, now a resident in a first world country. The adjustments in everything, even the simplest of things, is making me stressed. This too shall pass. We can do this.

Sending you love, I'm so sorry the system is like this. I've watched your journey since you just started. Very proud and inspired by you-through it all! Stay honest, pure, and truly you!

Hi! I´ve been watching your videos a long ago, and I have followed you throughout your journey. You inspire me so much! I am a first-year nephrology resident in Spain, and even though I got the specialty and the hospital that I always dreamed of, I feel totally identified with everything you say in the video. Often, I find myself crying on the bus back home, wondering if the decisions I made during my guard were correct and if there was something to improve. And I feel overwhelmed and stressed by all this feelings. I'm trying to enjoy the little things that brought me joy and that I took for granted. I try to make time to go for a run, to read books… as you say in the video, “for my mental health”. I just wanted to say that you are not alone, and that we have to normalize talking about mental health. So thank you for sharing your feelings.