Suicide Prevention
National Physician Suicide Awareness Day
Shine a Light - Speak Its Name!
September 17, 2023
Physician suicide is a tremendous issue in healthcare today. While estimates of the
actual number of physician suicides vary, literature has shown that the relative risk
for suicide being 2.27 times greater among women and 1.41 times higher among men versus
the general population. Each physician suicide is a devastating loss affecting everyone
- family, friends, colleagues and up to 1 million patients per year. It is both a
very personal loss and a public health crisis.
Vision Zero calls on individuals, residency programs, health care organizations and national groups to make a commitment to break down stigma, increase awareness, open the conversation, decrease the fear of consequences, reach out to colleagues, recognize warning signs and learn to approach our colleagues who may be at risk. Let us challenge each other as individuals, communities, institutions and organizations to make changes to reach zero physician suicides.
"Shed light on this issue and change the culture of medicine to save our own lives."
Suicidal Signs
Your knowledge of suicidal signs will save lives. Educate yourself about suicide warning signs, listen and pay attention to your friends, family, co-workers and everyone around you.
Here are warning signs to look out for:
- Increased alcohol and drug use
- Aggressive behavior
- Withdrawal from friends, family and community
- Dramatic mood swings
- Collecting and saving pills or buying a weapon
- Giving away possessions
- Tying up loose ends, like organizing personal papers or paying off debts
- Saying goodbye to friends and family
- Impulsive or reckless behavior
Learn more from the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline website.
Chattanooga Crisis Services: Hotline available 24/7 in Southeast Tennessee at 800.704.2651.