Abraham Reyes: How Work Harassment Led to a Doctor’s Suicide in Mexico

 Tragedy in Monterrey: Medical Resident Dies by Suicide Amid Allegations of Workplace Harassment

By Izsak V.

June 7, 2025

On Sunday, June 1, 2025, Luis Abraham Reyes Vázquez, a 27-year-old medical resident at the Hospital de Especialidades No. 25 of the Mexican Social Security Institute (IMSS) in Monterrey, was found dead in his home. Authorities have confirmed his death as a suicide. His passing has sparked a national conversation about the ongoing mental health crisis among medical professionals in Mexico.

Originally from Delicias, Chihuahua, Dr. Reyes was described by peers as a committed and intelligent young physician. However, according to multiple residents and colleagues, he endured prolonged psychological harassment, extreme overwork, and public humiliation during his residency — a toxic environment that many now believe contributed directly to his death.

Not an Isolated Case

A statement issued by his fellow residents described Dr. Reyes’ death as “not an isolated incident, but a collective cry for help.” According to their testimony, Dr. Reyes and others were subjected to:

• Verbal and psychological abuse by supervising doctors.

• Threats of academic retaliation.

• Inhumane shifts lasting up to 36 hours without proper rest.

• Constant belittlement and public humiliation.

While the IMSS has launched an internal investigation, officials confirmed that Dr. Reyes had not filed a formal complaint before his death. Still, the testimonies of his peers have fueled mounting calls for urgent reforms.

A System Under Pressure

Mexico’s medical residency system has long faced scrutiny for its treatment of young doctors. Many report that mistreatment, burnout, and lack of institutional support are common — especially during the mandatory years of service.

Organizations advocating for healthcare workers argue that cases like this should serve as a wake-up call. “We cannot continue to normalize abuse in the name of training,” one resident said anonymously. “This system is costing lives.”

National Outcry

Dr. Reyes’ death marks the second reported suicide among medical residents in recent months. Students, residents, and professionals across the country have taken to social media using hashtags like #JusticiaParaAbraham and #NoMásResidentesRotos (“Justice For Abraham” and “No More Broken Residents”), demanding systemic changes to protect future doctors.

Many are calling for:

• Safe reporting systems for abuse.

• Mental health support services for residents.

• Enforceable work-hour regulations.

• Accountability for toxic or abusive supervisors.

Remembering Dr. Reyes

While the exact details of Dr. Reyes’ final moments remain private, what is clear is that his story is now a symbol of a deeper crisis within the Mexican medical training system. His name, Luis Abraham Reyes Vázquez, has become a rallying cry — not only for justice, but for change.

Thanks for reading! If you’d like to support me as the writer, you can send a tip via Cash App: $VictorMemo -any support is truly appreciated

Written by Victor Manuel with support from ChatGPT AI