Author: STOLBER Digital

Healthcare workers play a crucial role in our world. From routine care to emergency situations, people in these professions are the ones we look to when we need care. However, even before the COVID-19 pandemic swept across the globe, the healthcare field had a reputation of being difficult. Healthcare professionals have historically been overworked, underappreciated, and dealt with issues such as stress, burnout, and other negative mental health outcomes. 

Between 2008 and 2019, a survey studied six types of healthcare professionals, including doctors and nurses. It also looked at technicians, support staff, and social health workers, comparing them to workers outside of healthcare. The overall findings revealed that healthcare workers, specifically registered nurses, health technicians, and healthcare support workers, were at a greater risk of suicide than non-healthcare workers. Because suicide among healthcare workers is clearly an issue, it’s important to explore why this is the case and what steps can be taken for suicide prevention for healthcare workers.

COVID-19: Shedding Light on an Existing Problem

During the pandemic, healthcare workers were on the front lines. Clinics and hospitals quickly became overcrowded as COVID spread and people needed care and testing. A study from NCSBN found that 62% of nurses reported an increase in their workload during the pandemic. They also found that approximately 100,000 nurses left the workforce during the pandemic. 

A reported 610,388 of nurses intended to leave the workforce by 2027, due to stress, burnout, and retirement. Another report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) found that nearly half of all healthcare workers in the United States were experiencing burnout during the pandemic, intending to leave the field in 2022.

While the pandemic certainly increased the load that healthcare workers carried, it also made the public more aware of the struggles that those in healthcare-related professions experience on a regular basis. Issues such as poor working conditions, harassment, and chronic understaffing have been existing problems for decades. 

According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), 74% of workplace violence in the U.S. in 2013 took place in healthcare settings. These numbers only seem to be increasing. The 2023 CDC Vital Signs report found that the number of healthcare workers who experience harassment doubled from 2018 to 2022. 

Violence in healthcare settings can happen for a number of reasons. Patients may lash out if they are anxious, in pain, or dealing with other mental health issues. Family members of

https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10523169/

https://www.ncsbn.org/news/ncsbn-research-projects-significant-nursing-workforce-shortages-and-crisis

https://www.cdc.gov/vitalsigns/health-worker-mental-health/index.html

https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5580583/#B3-ijerph-14-00879

https://www.cdc.gov/vitalsigns/health-worker-mental-health/index.html

patients may also act out due to anxiety or while seeing their loved one in pain. Some people may also expect care and service to be met to their specific standards. If it’s not, these people may become frustrated and take it out on the nurses and other professionals who are simply trying to do their jobs. 

The pandemic also had lasting effects on other areas of practice. The pandemic presented unique obstacles for mental and behavioral healthcare professionals, both during and after the crisis. While frontline healthcare workers faced the pandemic’s immediate impacts, mental healthcare workers are managing its long-term effects.. Many people have turned to therapy to help them process everything that happened. As a result, mental healthcare workers have also seen an increased workload, causing them to deal with burnout as well.

Factors that Lead to Suicide in Healthcare Workers

Working in a healthcare-related field often contributes to high amounts of stress and pressure. Caring for others requires a person to set aside their own needs in order to prioritize someone else’s. However, when a person is constantly neglecting their own needs for hours or even days at a time, it can lead to long-term negative effects on their physical, mental, and emotional well-being.

1. Burnout

Burnout is one of the biggest stressors that healthcare workers face. Nurses often work long shifts, sometimes over 12 hours at a time, while physicians may work upwards of 60 hours per week. Depending on the day’s demands, they may be taking on more tasks than time allows. This was especially true during the pandemic when healthcare facilities were dealing with staffing shortages due to illness and struggled to keep up with the demand for care. 

Burnout can lead to many issues, including risk of medical errors and inefficiency. According to the Mayo Clinic, when someone experiences physical burnout, it’s like missing out on the productivity of seven entire classes of medical school graduates. Studies have shown that as many as 75% of all healthcare professionals struggle with burnout, with up to 12% of these individuals dealing with suicidal ideation.

2. Lack of Support

Being without support is another common issue affecting many in the healthcare industry. In the nursing field, this may look like insufficient staffing, lack of resources, and demanding workloads. Nurses may be assigned to more patients than they are able to properly care for when staffing is low or a hospital is busy. High demands and pressure from other staff may lead to presenteeism. Presenteeism is when an employee is physically at their job despite being ill or unwell to the point of not being able to perform their role effectively. Nurses have the highest rates of presenteeism in the workforce.

https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6367114/

https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6367114/

https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9098943/

https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9098943/

3. Trauma

Finally, exposure to trauma plays a huge role in one’s mental health. Nurses in particular are exposed to traumatic situations regularly, especially in emergency settings. The pandemic brought about a whole new level of this as more of the population was dealing with severe illness. Being exposed regularly to people who are suffering can lead to compassion fatigue and secondary traumatic stress, which both can cause symptoms such as increased anxiety and irritability. It may even lead to post traumatic stress disorder or other issues such as substance use disorders.

Nursing Shortage in the United States

It’s no surprise that nurses and other healthcare professionals are leaving the field, especially after the pandemic. Unfortunately, this leaves healthcare facilities at a loss and puts a greater burden on those who continue to stay and work. The World Health Organization (WHO) has reported that by 2030, the world may be short of 5.7 million nurses. 

The U.S. in particular has been seeing a decrease in nurses, which is alarming as the Baby Boomer generation continues to age, needing increased care. Additionally, nursing school enrollment may not be keeping up with the demands of projected care needs. The American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) reported drops in both PhD and master’s nursing programs by 3.1% and 0.9%.

Further Impact on the Community 

When healthcare workers are undervalued, it can have serious consequences that affect the rest of the community. There are many ways in which the lack of support can have lasting impacts, especially since the pandemic.

1. Reduced Quality of Care

As stated earlier, when healthcare staff are overworked, there is an increased risk of errors. This can lead to mistakes in patient care. The quality of service may decline. Patients might become dissatisfied. They might avoid seeking care when needed.. Over time, this could lead to a wider distrust in the healthcare system as a whole. 

2. Strained Relationships

Those working demanding healthcare jobs may not have the time or energy to give to other relationships in their life. Because of this, they may become detached. When nurses and healthcare professionals are seen as detached, it affects public opinion. It can make them seem impersonal or rude. This contributes to a negative view of the field. As a result, people may hesitate to receive care. They may also be less likely to pursue jobs in the industry.

https://www.beckershospitalreview.com/nursing/world-may-be-short-5-7m-nurses-by-2030-4-report-takeaways/

https://www.aacnnursing.org/news-data/fact-sheets/nursing-shortage

https://www.aacnnursing.org/news-data/fact-sheets/nursing-shortage

3. Financial Toll

High employee turnover due to poor working conditions and employees’ mental health issues can have negative financial consequences and lead to higher operational costs. This can create ripple effects through the community, making care more expensive and difficult to access for many.

Prevention Strategies for Healthcare Professionals

Healthcare workers may be reluctant to seek help due to the fact for several reasons. Those with demanding work schedules and long shifts may struggle to find the time needed to pursue therapy or other support.

There is also the fear that seeking help may impact one’s career in the healthcare field. People in various types of caretaking roles are expected to “have it all together.” Because so much time is spent caring for others, the thought of caring for themselves may not cross their mind as frequently as it should. However, there are steps that can be taken to help protect healthcare workers’ mental health.

1. Reducing Stigma

Open conversations about mental health are essential. This is especially true in workplaces. Healthcare settings, in particular, need this openness. It helps reduce the stigma. It keeps mental health a priority for everyone. Fostering these conversations is an easy first step among colleagues. Check in with each other after long days or tough moments. Acknowledge difficult situations and process through them together. 

2. Expanding Resources for Mental Health and Suicide

Another important element is having resources readily available for staff to access when they’re struggling. Employee assistance programs (EAPs) and other support groups are a good step, as well as providing access to mental health screening tools. However, larger scale change needs to happen for there to be a true difference made. 

In 2024, Australia introduced a Nurse and Midwife Health Program. It aims to support those in the workforce. This encourages them to stay in the field. Nurses, midwives, and students can speak with peers. These peers have experienced similar situations. They offer practical support. Similarly, in 2024, Canada launched a toolkit. It is intended for use across their healthcare system. This toolkit focuses on eight themes and is aimed at helping healthcare employers retain their employees. While the U.S. has taken a few steps toward providing resources, there is more that can be done to support healthcare workers and ensure better working conditions. Suicide prevention training for healthcare professionals and other mental health services need to be easily accessible to help those who are struggling.

https://www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/news/2024/03/improving-the-working-lives-of-nurses-across-canada.html?utm_source=chatgpt.com

3. Encouraging Future Generations

Additionally, it is crucial to encourage the next generation to pursue a career in healthcare. It is rewarding and beneficial for others and themselves. Several statewide initiatives are helping address the nurse shortage. These initiatives make education more accessible for interested students. However, larger-scale change is necessary. This change is needed for others to feel a sense of safety. They need to feel safe entering a demanding profession. Healthcare is known for being physically, mentally, and emotionally demanding. 

Those who work in a profession of caring for others often have the hardest time caring for themselves. However, this is not their fault. There are larger issues at play that make it extremely difficult for people in professions such as nursing to have the time and resources to be able to support themselves. The pandemic also added another layer of complication to an already struggling system. 

For U.S. healthcare professionals, suicide and mental health issues are growing concerns. These should not be ignored. Burnout and high numbers of healthcare workers leaving the field should continue to be studied since these go hand-in-hand. 

Change needs to happen so that healthcare professionals don’t continue to suffer. Patients deserve to see healthcare workers who are feeling their best and can perform their job to the best of their ability. Ensuring the safety of those in healthcare roles is more than simply an ethical responsibility. It is an essential step toward creating a more sustainable healthcare system for all.

Remember, if you or a loved one are struggling, the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline is available.

Family is a central part of most people’s lives, but when family relationships are strained, it can bring immense pain and grief. Lack of family support can play a huge role in many aspects of a person’s life, including their mental health. 

The topic of family estrangement has historically been understudied and under researched. Because all scenarios are unique, it’s difficult to compare different people’s experiences. Family estrangement, however, is surprisingly common, and it’s important to be aware of the ways it can affect you or someone you know.

Understanding Estrangement

Estrangement is defined as no longer being on friendly terms with a person or group of people – usually someone you were previously close with. According to some studies, as many as one in four people are estranged from at least one family member. ¹ Causes of family estrangement vary greatly depending on the situation and people involved. However, there are some common factors that often play a role. 

• Unresolved issues: When families have issues that have been swept under the rug for years, this can cause a deep rift. Examples are significant life changes that occurred in the family (such as divorce) or persistent emotional issues (such as pressure or favoritism) that were never addressed.
• Generational trauma: Trauma can sometimes be passed down from one generation to the next. This creates a cycle that is hard to break.
• Differences in lifestyle or beliefs: People change as they grow. These changes can lead to different views or beliefs. Other family members may feel threatened or uncomfortable with these differences. This can cause conflict in relationships.
• Addiction or abuse: In some extreme situations, such as addiction or abuse, estrangement may be necessary for the safety of you and others.

Estrangement and Suicidal Ideation: The Connection

Family estrangement results in many complicated feelings. It’s no surprise that it has a negative impact on a person’s life, contributing to higher levels of depression. ²  Suicidal ideation can result from these depressed feelings combined with other emotions and struggles that build up over time. 

Isolation and rejection are two common feelings people facing family estrangement may experience. Being left without the support of someone you’ve grown up with can be a challenging shift. It also makes joyful seasons, like holidays or family celebrations, become complicated, painful, and lonely for those left out.

Guilt is another challenging feeling. In some situations, the person who has been estranged is left wondering if they could have prevented the situation. They may be blamed by family members for causing the problem in the first place. 

If someone needs to distance themselves from a family member for safety, they might feel guilty. They may struggle with not being able to help that person. These feelings can be tough when you have a family member with a serious addiction. It is hard when they refuse to get help.

Additional Risk Factors

Family estrangement can cause strong negative feelings. However, it’s also important to think about other risk factors. These factors may be present when someone is having thoughts of suicide.

People with a history of mental health issues are at higher risk. This also includes those who feel socially isolated.

Having a history of unhealthy coping methods, like using drugs and alcohol, can also lead to thoughts of suicide. Community and social factors can also play a role. For example, there may be a stigma around seeking help. People might also have limited access to mental health resources. ³

Support Beyond Family

When someone is dealing with family estrangement, it’s important for them to find outlets for support, whether it be friends or support groups in their community. Having people to turn to during both tough times and joyous moments is essential to maintaining mental well-being and fostering a sense of motivation and purpose. 

Therapy is also crucial when dealing with family estrangement. A therapist can help you untangle the layers of complicated and conflicting emotions you may be experiencing as well as help you learn healthy coping skills.

Moving Forward 

Not every instance of family estrangement is permanent. Sometimes, it can be possible to find reconciliation and healing. This usually happens gradually through small steps of communication with clear boundaries from both parties. Working with a family therapist can be helpful when mending these relationships. 

However, not every scenario benefits from finding a resolution. There are times when estrangement is permanent, whether by your choice or someone else’s. In these instances, speaking with a therapist can be helpful in learning to grieve, accept the situation, and move forward.

Family estrangement is incredibly complex and can leave lasting impacts. When estrangement leads to suicidal ideation, it’s crucial to seek help or recognize the warning signs in others who are struggling. Healing and recovery are possible through avenues such as therapy and support groups. If you or someone you know is struggling, reach out to the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.