Sustainability and Outcomes of a Suicide Prevention Program for Nurses

Abstract

Background We now know that nurses are at greater risk for suicide than others in the general population. It is known that job stressors are prevalent in nurses who die by suicide. Yet, little is known about targeted suicide prevention for nurses. The first nurse‐centric Healer Education Assessment and Referral (HEAR) suicide prevention program was piloted for 6 months in 2016. The HEAR program was effective in identifying at‐risk nurses. Aim The purpose of this paper is to report the 3‐year sustainability and outcomes of this nurse suicide prevention program. Methods Descriptive statistics are provided of program outcomes over the course of 3 years. Results Over the 3 years, 527 nurses have taken advantage of the screening portion of the program. Of these, 254 (48%) were Tier 1 high risk, and 270 (51.2%) were Tier 2 moderate risk. A startling 48 (9%) had expressed thoughts of taking their own life, 51 (9.7%) had a previous suicide attempt, whereas only 79 (15%) were receiving counseling or therapy. One hundred seventy‐six nurses received support from therapists electronically, over the phone, or in person; 98 nurses accepted referral for treatment. The number of group emotional debriefs rose from eight in 2016 to 15 in 2017 to 38 in fiscal year 2019. Many of the debriefs are now requested (vs. offered), demonstrating the development of a culture open to reaching out for mental health treatment. Linking Evidence to Action The initial success of this pilot program has been sustained. A nurse suicide prevention program of education, assessment, and referral is feasible, well‐received, proactively identifies nurses with reported suicidality and facilitates referral for care. The HEAR program has provided service to physicians and residents for 10 years and now supports effectiveness in nurses. The HEAR program is portable and ready for replication at other institutions.

A comparative analysis of the substance use and mental health characteristics of nurses who complete suicide

“…During the initial wave of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, Rahman & Plummer (2020) described six cases reported in the media on nurses in high-and lowincome countries who died by suicide due to the additional stressors created by the pandemic. Finally, in the seminal longitudinal USA study published in January 2020, researchers demonstrated that nurses are at increased risk for completing suicide compared to the general population (Davidson et al, 2020). Those sobering findings echoed earlier reports from others globally.…”

Exploring nurse suicide by firearms: A mixed‐method longitudinal (2003–2017) analysis of death investigations

“…In previous reports approximately 10% of nurses who screened moderate to high risk had previous suicide attempts. 50 Given our findings, suicide risk screening programs may benefit from adding screening for firearms in the home, with a special focus on those who have had previous suicide attempts. Resources for education of nurses regarding firearm safety may be found at: https://www.rand.org/ research/gun-policy/analysis/essays/firearm-availability-suicide.html.…”

“…53 If widely used proactively, anonymous screening programs have the potential to identify nurses who would benefit from drug and alcohol rehabilitation while preserving their professional identity, maintaining employment status, and reducing turnover in the profession. 50 We are now analyzing the entire dataset, to quantify the impact of disciplinary action by employers and the boards of nursing on nurse suicide. The feeling associated with job loss has been described to be as deep as bereavement grief.…”

The Effect of Benson's Relaxation Technique on Occupational Stress Among Nurses Caring for Covid-19 Patients in Sabzevar, Iran

“…The occupational stress is one of the signi cant issues in the nursing profession. According to literatures, the suicide rate in medical staff has increased in recent years which occupational stress may be a risk factor (14). The present study aimed the effect of Benson's relaxation Technique on occupational stress among nurses caring for Covid-19 patients.…”