Join the ACS in Recognizing Suicide Prevention Awareness Month

September is Suicide Prevention Awareness Month, and September 17 is National Physician Suicide Awareness Day.

Surgeons and other physicians are at greater risk for suicide than the general population. These commemorations are reminders and calls to action so that physicians’ struggles don’t become mental health emergencies.

Members of healthcare teams can all help prevent physician death by suicide by learning the signs, starting conversations, understanding the underlying barriers to addressing mental health issues, and sharing the resources that can help those in distress seek care for mental health. By working together, healthcare practitioners and health organizations can shift the paradigm from a system where physicians think that burnout, depression, or suicidal thoughts are something they must overcome individually to one where they see the support system that is available to help.

All healthcare organizations and individuals can take action. This month, the ACS Surgeon Well-Being Program will explore six actions to help prevent physician death by suicide. This week focuses on prevention, which begins with understanding the warning signs by using the HEART acronym:

• Health: Increasing the use of medications and/or alcohol to illicit drugs; talking about wanting to hurt themselves or die
• Emotions: Experiencing extreme mood swings; feeling hopeless or having no purpose
• Attitude: Being negative about professional and personal goals; having inappropriate outbursts of anger or sadness
• Relationships: Withdrawing or isolating themselves from family, friends, and coworkers; talking about being a burden to others
• Temperament: Acting anxious or agitated; behaving recklessly; being uncomfortable, tired, or in unbearable pain.

Check the ACS Brief each week in September for more information.