Nurses and Suicide Prevention: Caring for Ourselves and Others
- Cynthia and Laura Love
- Sep 4
- 4 min read
September is Suicide Prevention Month. It calls for a time to pause, to reflect, raise awareness, and take meaningful action to protect lives. For nurses, who devote themselves daily to the care of others, this month also serves as an important reminder: you matter, too.
Suicide is a public health crisis, and nurses are not immune. In fact, studies show that nurses, especially female nurses, have higher suicide rates than the general population (Guille, 2021). The emotional demands, moral distress, chronic fatigue, and relentless exposure to trauma can take a significant toll on mental health. Yet, stigma often keeps nurses from reaching out for help.
This Suicide Prevention Month, we invite all nurses to explore what it means to support others while also prioritizing their own well-being.
*Disclaimer: If you or someone you know is experiencing a mental health crisis, please reach out for help by calling 911 or the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) Helpline at 800-950-6264 or text "NAMI" to 62640, Monday-Friday, 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. EST. In a crisis, call or text 988 (24/7).
Understanding the Weight Nurses Carry
Nursing is one of the most trusted and meaningful professions, but it is also one of the most emotionally and physically taxing. Many nurses experience:
Burnout and compassion fatigue
Moral distress from witnessing preventable suffering
Trauma exposure in emergency, ICU, or palliative settings
Workplace pressures, including short staffing, long shifts, and high acuity
Over time, this can lead to feelings of hopelessness, isolation, and depression, all risk factors for suicidal ideation.
The Silent Struggle: Stigma and Fear
One of the most significant barriers to addressing suicide in nursing is stigma. Many fear that disclosing mental health concerns could lead to:
Licensing issues
Judgment from colleagues
Perceived weakness or failure
This silence is dangerous. By breaking the stigma and normalizing help-seeking behavior, we foster psychological safety, the foundation of a healthy work culture. One resource that may be helpful is the National Academies National Plan for Health Workforce Well-Being at National Plan for Health Workforce Well-Being | The National Academies Press.
Recognizing the Signs
Whether it's a fellow nurse, patient, or even yourself, it’s vital to recognize red flags for suicide risk:
Expressions of hopelessness or feeling like a burden
Withdrawal from others
Dramatic mood swings or sudden calmness after depression
Giving away possessions or saying goodbye
Increased use of substances or reckless behavior
(National Mental Health Hotline: 988)
Tools like the Columbia-Suicide Severity Rating Scale (C-SSRS) or PHQ-9 can support clinical judgment, but sometimes, it's your intuition that notices first.
Taking Care of Ourselves Is Not Selfish
Nurses are often so busy caring for others that they put their own needs last. But self-care is not indulgent; it is essential.
Try integrating the following:
Set emotional boundaries at work and home
Take breaks without guilt
Prioritize sleep, nutrition, and movement
Seek professional mental health support when needed
Connect with peers through debriefings or wellness check-ins
And remember: a resilient nurse isn't one who never struggles, it's one who knows when and how to reach for support. Check out this resource for health care professionals from the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) at Health Care Professionals | National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI).
Creating a Culture of Peer Support
Peer support programs and emotional debriefings can be lifelines for nurses after difficult shifts or patient losses. Leadership should empower and normalize regular check-ins, not just after traumatic events, but as a proactive measure.
You are not alone. Chances are that your colleagues have faced similar challenges and will meet your vulnerability with compassion. NAMI and the American Nurses Association (ANA) offer additional information on peer support. Check out the links below:
Advocacy: Our Voice Matters
As nurses, we are advocates—at the bedside, in boardrooms, and within our own profession. We must advocate for:
Safe staffing and reasonable workloads
Protected mental health leave
Confidential access to counseling
Training in suicide prevention techniques, such as:
QPR (Question, Persuade, Refer): for more information, go to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) at QPR (Question, Persuade, Refer) Suicide Prevention Training | SAMHSA
ASIST (Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training): for more information, go to SAMHSA at Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training (ASIST) | SAMHSA
The Language of Prevention
Let’s also be mindful of the words we use. Stigmatizing language can hurt, even when unintended.
Use “died by suicide” instead of “committed suicide”
Refer to “a person experiencing suicidal thoughts” instead of “a suicidal person”
Say “suicide loss survivor” instead of “family of a suicide victim”
Words matter. They shape how we see others and how we see ourselves.
Final Thoughts: From One Nurse to Another
You entered this profession because you care deeply. But that care must include yourself. If you're struggling, you are not alone. Your life, your presence, and your voice matter, and not just to your patients, but to your colleagues, your family, and the future of nursing.
This Suicide Prevention Month let’s commit to caring for the caregivers and others. Let’s create a culture that promotes and supports positive mental well-being.
References
Guille, C. (2021). Rate of suicide among women nurses compared with women in the general population before the COVID-19 global pandemic. JAMA Psychiatry. 78(6):597–598. doi:10.1001/jamapsychiatry.2021.0141
National Mental Health Hotline: 988. (n.d.) Warning signs. Retrieved from Warning Signs - 988 Lifeline
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