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UW Medicine is committed to supporting employees with compassion, dignity, and care. We recognize that suicide and mental health concerns can affect anyone, including employees, learners, and teams working in high-stress healthcare environments. This page is here to help if you are looking for support for yourself, are concerned about someone else, or are navigating the impact of a suicide loss in your community. 

We know these conversations can be hard. There is no perfect way to navigate mental health challenges and suicidality. What matters most is finding support.

 

Suicide Prevention Awareness Month: Why Health Care Well-Being Matters 

Healthcare work asks a lot of the people who do it, and the data shows it. This September, we’re sharing what the evidence tells us, because awareness is the first step toward change. 

  • Support staff and nurses face the highest risk of suicide among healthcare roles. This is higher than physicians, whose rates are closer to the general public. (Olfson et al., JAMA, 2023) 
  • Women in healthcare are at significantly higher risk of suicide than women in other fields. (Olfson et al., JAMA, 2023) 
  • An estimated 400 physicians die by suicide every year in the U.S. (National Academy of Medicine) 
  • Healthcare is one of the highest-risk professions for suicide nationally alongside first responders and military service members. (CDC/NIOSH) 

These numbers point to something bigger than any one person. They point to a system that needs to change – and that’s the work we’re committed to at UW Medicine. 

If you’re struggling, you’re not alone. 

988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: call or text 988, available 24/7

Suicide Prevention 

Suicide prevention includes supporting our own mental health, noticing when someone else may be struggling, and making space for honest, compassionate conversations.  

A note about support 

You do not need to determine whether a situation is “serious enough” before reaching out. If you are worried about your own mental health, concerned about someone else, or affected by a suicide loss, support is appropriate. Reaching out is a courageous first step towards support, safety, and connection.  

I Need Help

If you are feeling overwhelmed, distressed, disconnected, or having thoughts of suicide, you deserve support. Start by connecting with a trusted person, supervisor, colleague, clinician, counselor, or support service.  

Know that you are not alone, even if it feels that way. Support is available right now – you do not need to have the right words or know exactly what you need to access it. Reach out in whatever way feels most manageable – by text or phone call, to a crisis line or emergency resource, or a trusted person in your life. 

Someone I Know Needs Help

If you are worried about someone who is struggling, you can ask directly about mental health and suicide in a calm, caring way. For example: 

  • “I’ve noticed you seem really overwhelmed. How are you doing?” 
  • “I care about you and want to check in. Are you thinking about suicide?” 
  • “You do not have to handle this alone. Let’s find support together.” 
Myth: Asking directly about suicide increases risk of suicide.
Truth: Asking directly can reduce isolation and open the door to help. If someone shares that they are struggling, listen without judgment, thank them for telling you, and help connect them to support that feels safe and appropriate.

If someone shares that they are considering suicide, respond promptly with care and compassion. Stay calm, listen, and focus on immediate safety. If possible, remain with the person or make sure they are not alone while support is being arranged. 

  • Take any communication about suicide seriously – there is no reliable way to determine risk based on how casually, directly, or repeatedly a person makes statements about suicide.
  • Respond with calm curiosity and support. Listen without judgment. 
  • Support the person in accessing crisis or mental health support immediately. 
  • When appropriate and safe to do so, reduce access to anything that could increase immediate danger, such as firearms, medications, or sharp objects. 
  • If a person is unwilling to access support and you are concerned for their safety, call 911.

Crisis Resources

These resources connect directly to trained mental health professionals.  

  • 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline: Call 988, Text 988, available 24/7. Deaf/hard of hearing people can text, chat, or call 988 with a Videophone number to receive 24/7 support.  
  • Washington Employee Assistance Program (EAP) Crisis Support: Call 877-313-4455 and press ‘2’ or ask to speak to the ‘in the moment’ counselor, available 24/7 
  • Crisis Text Line: HOME or HOLA to 741741 to connect with a live crisis counselor 
  • Husky Assist: Call 206-543-9331, available 11am-8pm Monday to Friday for UWMC Montlake Hospital and Clinics and Roosevelt Clinic (University District) 

Non-Crisis Resources

These resources are broadly available to support anyone struggling with their mental health. If you are in crisis and need immediate support, please see the Crisis Resources above.  

Suicide Postvention 

After a suicide death, people may experience grief, shock, numbness, confusion, guilt, anger, fear, or relief mixed with sadness. These reactions are common, and there is no single right way to respond. Postvention is the compassionate support offered after a suicide loss to help individuals, teams, and communities heal. 

Myth: Feeling guilt after a suicide loss means I could have prevented it.
Truth: Guilt is a common response to suicide loss, but suicide is complex and rarely the result of any one event or person. Be kind to yourself and seek support if feelings of guilt become overwhelming. If you are grieving a suicide loss, you are not alone. Support is available whether your grief feels fresh, complicated, or long-lasting. You may benefit from talking with a counselor, peer, supervisor, spiritual care provider, or trusted support person. 

Postvention Resources

These resources are from Forefront, the UW Center of Excellence offering training, education and program support for suicide prevention, using a public health approach to support community-based suicide prevention work:

Additional resources: