National Suicide Prevention Month Reminds Us Doctors and Nurses Are At Higher Risk Than Most

September is National Suicide Prevention Month, and we are reminded once again that doctors and nurses are two of the professions among the highest at risk. Clinicians' work can be intensely gratifying, but it is also grueling and painful.

From the updated material in the paperback edition of IF I BETRAY THESE WORDS, out September 10, 2024:

"Since the book was first published in April 2023, at least once a month a physician has quietly confessed to me that reading it pulled them back from the brink of suicide. They cite the book’s rejection of individual frailty as the root cause of their suffering, instead reframing the ills of healthcare systems today as the primary driver of their frustration, helplessness, and disaffection."

Wendy Dean, MD

It is heartbreaking that so many find this language helpful, but if it helps one person see strength instead of frailty, it's done more than we imagined it might.

We believe that creating a more sustainable healthcare environment - one where health workers can care for patients as they were trained to do - will mean fewer health workers experience the levels of distress they feel now. However, while we push for those changes, we are also getting behind initiatives to improve access to care and to ensure that health workers' careers are safe if they get help.

We are working with the Dr. Lorna Breen Heroes Foundation to change intrusive licensing and credentialing questions for physicians, nurses, and pharmacists across the country. More information on their website: https://drlornabreen.org/

If you or a health worker you know needs more immediate assistance, here are some valuable resources, in order of urgency:

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline)

Website: 988lifeline.org

Call/Text: 988

This 24/7, confidential, free service connects people in crisis with trained counselors. It’s a key national resource for anyone facing emotional distress, suicidal thoughts, or anyone concerned about a loved one. Available in both English and Spanish.

Physician Support Line

Call: 1 (888) 409-0141

Website: https://www.physiciansupportline.com/

Psychiatrists helping our US physician and medical student colleagues navigate the many intersections of our personal and professional lives.            

Free, Confidential & Anonymous

No appointment necessary           

Call for any issue, not just a crisis

They report to no one

Open Monday to Friday (except federal holidays) 8:00 AM - 12:00 AM ET                      

Crisis Text Line

Text: HOME to 741741

A free, 24/7 text line offering support for those in crisis, connecting them with a trained volunteer to provide support via text. This can be a great option for people who may feel more comfortable communicating via text.

American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP):

Website: afsp.org

This organization provides education, resources, and advocacy for suicide prevention. They offer extensive materials on how to talk about mental health, how to support those struggling, and ways to get involved in community-based prevention efforts.

American Hospital Association (AHA)

Health worker suicide prevention guide

Website: https://www.aha.org/suicideprevention/health-care-workforce/suicide-prevention-guide