CrazySocks4Docs Day encourages healthcare professionals to wear colourful odd socks, in an effort to raise awareness of doctors living with mental illness.

Founded by Melbourne cardiologist Dr Geoff Toogood in 2017, the campaign was in response to a growing culture of dismissing mental health issues as weakness. In particular, professional pressure to work through suffering or illness.

The feeling is all too familiar for Launceston general practitioner and Australian Medical Association Tasmania spokesman Jerome Muir Wilson.

When a colleague died by suicide a few years ago, Dr Muir Wilson said it was a big wake up call.

"Sadly, our profession does have higher suicide rates than others," he said.

"We had a colleague three or four years ago, who took his own life and it was just tragic to live through.

"It's an issue that affects all of society. A lot of us have lost someone to suicide or mental health, or seen people severely affected by it.

"I think the good thing about Socks4Docs is it offers a bit of good medicine as well.

"Having a bit of laugh with colleagues and having some crazy socks for a day, it's a positive message."

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Mental health services have experienced a sharp rise in demand for people seeking help during the coronavirus crisis.

Many health professionals believe this is likely to continue as the lasting impact of the pandemic is felt, including increased rates of suicide.

While health professionals have been on the frontline in the response, Launceston General Hospital GP liaison consultant Isobel Morse said it didn't mean they were immune to mental health issues.

In the face of COVID-19, Dr Morse said it was probably more important than ever to really raise the awareness of the mental wellbeing of doctors and all health practitioners.

"The situation with the pandemic, it has really shone the spotlight on all health and the need for us to really look after ourselves," she said.

"And making sure we are doing the right thing by our patients, but also our own health.

"Doctors are notoriously bad for looking after themselves and I think this year there has been a little bit more of a push to really make sure we do ... that could be something positive to come out of this crisis."

A 2010 report from Beyond Blue found that Australian medical practitioners had a higher suicide rate compared with the general population, with 34 per cent of medical students reporting they would not seek help for depression.

While the past few months have been challenging, Dr Morse said many staff at the LGH had been surprised by the outpouring of support from the community.

"I think lots of doctors are quite taken aback and surprised when their patients actually ask them - 'how are you and how are you coping'," she said.

"Unfortunately there are doctors who have taken their own lives.

"Hopefully on Friday we can remember them and help to start the conversation and let people know that we are people too.

"It's time to move this forward, raise awareness and remember those who have really suffered. We should definitely look after ourselves."

On Friday, people are encouraged to share their crazy sock photos on social media, using the hashtags #crazysocks4docs.

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