Suicide Prevention & Toxic Jobs

Stigma causes people to suffer in silence, which can make suicidal thoughts seem uncommon and like a personal failing. Suicide prevention is achieved by acknowledging that suicidal thoughts are common, anyone under enough stress can experience a suicidal crisis, and there is absolutely nothing to feel ashamed about. Suicidal thoughts happen when the autonomic nervous system shuts down in the face of extreme and overwhelming stress~ the freeze part of fight, flight, freeze, and fawn.

Many survivors of hostile, exploitative, and otherwise toxic workplaces experience suicidal thoughts.

Some professions have especially high rates of suicide including doctors, nurses, and veterinarians.

Rupinder Legha, MD writes in “My Love Letter to the Graduating Medical Class of 2023: Protecting Yourselves Against the Occupational Hazard of Physician Suicide” that “the healthiest and most vibrant of us…are the most allergic to the toxicity of medical training and therefore, most prone” to suicidal crisis (https://lnkd.in/gNmQV2CV).

September is Suicide Prevention Month in the United States. Here are some resources for people struggling with suicide:

Now Matters Now (https://nowmattersnow.org)-suicide survivors share what helps them get through suicidal crisis like resetting the nervous system with cold water (https://lnkd.in/gdV877sB) and Emergency Self-Help (https://lnkd.in/gF4ZGKA8). Dr. Ursula Whiteside’s amazing site shares safety plans and information about dialectical behavioral therapy.

Physicians Anonymous (https://lnkd.in/gPSUbe5F)- physicians helping physicians with anxiety, depression, and suicidal crisis.

988- national crisis line, alternative to 911

1-800-273-8255 National Suicide Prevention Hotline (press 1 if you are a veteran)

Trans LifeLine (https://translifeline.org)

National LGBT Hotline (https://lnkd.in/gmWFSqnn)