Awareness

From Awareness to Action: Changing Culture to Prevent Physician Suicide

From Awareness to Action: Changing Culture to Prevent Physician Suicide

Every day, physicians help improve and save lives. But when it comes to their own mental health struggles, they often don’t address the symptoms of trouble until they are in full-blown crisis. Sometimes, their mental health crisis turns deadly. Physicians have one of the highest suicide rates of any profession in the US. Federal data show an estimated 400 physicians die by suicide per year. More than half of physicians know a physician who has either considered, attempted or died by suicide in their career, according to Vital Signs, a nonprofit aimed at ending physician suicide. They also report an estimated one million persons in the U.S. lose their physician to suicide each year.

From Awareness to Action: Kickstarting a Revolution in Suicide Prevention with Social Courage

From Awareness to Action: Kickstarting a Revolution in Suicide Prevention with Social Courage

It seems fitting that on this day — July 4th — I should write a little something about kickstarting a revolution.

June was overwhelming for many in my suicide prevention tribe — the scientists, advocates, clinicians, crisis call-takers, peer supporters, and many people with all forms of lived experience with suicide — as many of us were called upon to respond to the seemingness constant barrage of tragic news about suicide and trauma.