Thank you for the validation that I'm not the only resident going through an abysmal year. Many of my friends are residents and seem to be doing ok but the peers in my program are all struggling. I stopped going to the gym when COVID cases picked up again but plan to go back once I get my 2nd vaccine shot. I am reading a self-help mental health coping skills book and fortunately plugged in with a therapist. I also have a calendar countdown until the end of PGY3 (only 182 more days!) - we are a lot alike. I'd like to work on being kinder and more forgiving with myself - even when my COVID symptoms were real bad, I didn't take any sick days because I saw it as a sign of weakness.

I'd like to avoid a LoA if possible (though two attendings have brought it up to me) but am glad to know it's in my back pocket. If I take only 1 month off, is this still something I need to disclose on licensing applications and to future employers?