Suicide Prevention

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In 2022, 13.2 million adults seriously considered suicide. (1) The rate of suicide among healthcare professionals is higher than the general population. A person's workplace can play a vital role in their overall well-being and function. There is a need for workplace intervention on a large scale.  

Suicidal thoughts can affect anyone regardless of age, gender, occupation, or background, and often indicate more serious mental health concerns, requiring assessment and proper interventions from a licensed mental health professional. Our goal at the Resiliency & Well-being Center is to ensure individuals affected by suicidal thoughts or behaviors, and their families and friends, have access to the resources they need to discuss suicide prevention and seek help.

We want any person experiencing suicidal thoughts or behaviors to have a number to call, a system to turn to, that would connect them to the treatment and support they need. The National Suicide Hotline, 988 is available 24/7 in addition to the resources outlined below. 

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Suicide Facts

Health Care Worker Impact

Physicians, nurses, and other healthcare workers have historically been at disproportionate risk of suicide, due to a variety of factors, including:

  • Difficult working conditions, such as long work hours, rotating and irregular shifts,
  • Emotionally challenging situations with patients and patient’s family members,
  • Risk for exposure to infectious diseases and other hazards on the job, including workplace violence,
  • Routine exposure to human suffering and death, and access to lethal means such as medications and knowledge about using them.

Individual Impact

  • 78 percent of all people who die by suicide are male;
  • Suicide is a leading cause of death: 
    • 2nd in ages 10–14 and 25-34 
    • 3rd in ages 15-24
    • 4th in ages 35-44
    • 11th overall in 2022 within the United States, claiming the lives of over 49,400 individuals. 
  • In 2023, 5% of adults had thoughts about suicide, and young adults had the highest rates of all age ranges. 
  • 90 percent of those who die by suicide experienced symptoms.

Data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, and other select sources.

Warning Signs of Suicide

Almost everyone who has committed suicide has given some signs or warnings, even though some of these signs might be subtle.

How they feel and talk—signs include:

  • Feeling sad, angry, ashamed, rejected, desperate, lonely, irritable, overly happy or exhausted;
  • Feeling trapped and helpless: “I can’t see any way out of this”;
  • Feeling worthless or hopeless: “I'm on my own—no one cares. No one would even notice I was gone”;
  • Feeling guilty: “It’s my fault, I’m to blame.”

How they behave—signs include:

  • Withdrawing from friends, family, and society;
  • Withdrawing from activities they used to enjoy (video games, dance classes, reading, sports, etc.)
  • Appearing anxious and agitated;
  • Having trouble sleeping or sleeping all the time;Having sudden mood swings—a sudden lift in mood after a period of depression could indicate they have decided to attempt suicide;
  • Having episodes of sudden rage and anger;
  • Acting recklessly and engaging in risky behaviors;
  • Losing interest in their appearance (dressing badly, no longer wearing make-up, not washing regularly, etc.);
  • Abusing drugs or alcohol, or using more than usual;
  • Rapid weight changes;
  • Putting their affairs in order;
  • Making funeral arrangements.

High risk warning signs

  • Threatening to hurt or kill themselves;
  • Possessing or having ways to kill themselves, such as stockpiling tablets or buying equipment that could be used to harm themselves;
  • Talking, drawing, or writing about death, dying, or suicide.
  • Giving away possessions that hold meaning. 
     
Being Prepared for a Crisis 

When a suicide-related crisis occurs we often feel caught off-guard, unprepared and unsure of what to do.  If you believe someone may be thinking about suicide:

  • Call 911, if danger for self-harm seems imminent;
  • Ask them if they are thinking about killing themselves. (This will not put the idea into their head or make it more likely that they will attempt suicide.);
  • Listen without judging and show you care;
  • Stay with the person (or make sure the person is in a private, secure place with another caring person) until you can get further help;
  • Remove any objects that could be used in a suicide attempt;
  • Express support and concern;
  • Don’t argue, threaten or raise your voice;
  • Don’t debate whether suicide is right or wrong;
  • If you’re nervous, try not to fidget or pace;
  • Be patient.

Like any other health emergency, it’s important to address a mental health crisis quickly and effectively.  If you need help or know someone who does, and this is an emergency, please call 911 immediately.

GW Resources

Non-urgent resources

National Resources

Awareness Resources

It is important to address suicide prevention, coming together with collective passion and strength around a difficult topic.  We can all benefit from honest conversations about mental health conditions and suicide, because just one conversation can change a life.

Here are more resources:

We encourage you to utilize GW Resiliency and Well-being Center staff to help facilitate those discussions with your department or student group. You can reach us at rwc [at] gwu [dot] edu or 202-994-7462.