Suicide Prevention Month

The Arnold P. Gold Foundation understands the importance of using humanism to navigate polarized issues in healthcare. With clinician burnout on the rise affecting more than half of U.S. doctors, we recognize that in order for healthcare professionals to humanely care for others they also need the resources to promote their well-being.

Declining satisfaction with the healthcare profession, high rates of depression, and an increased risk for suicide are some of the challenges facing many physicians today, from medical training through their careers. These challenges are associated with suboptimal patient care, lower patient satisfaction, decreased access to care, and increased healthcare costs.

Raising Awareness

We dedicate September to Suicide Prevention Month – a time to raise awareness and discuss this stigmatized topic. We call on our community to change the conversation from suicide-to-suicide prevention and to use this month to spread hope and healing to people affected by suicide. Our hope is to provide individuals with the resources needed to discuss this topic and seek help.

If you or someone you know is in suicidal crisis or emotional distress, call 988 or the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline or use the Lifeline Crisis Chat. The 988 Lifeline provides free and confidential emotional support 24 hours a day, 7 days a week in the US.

Addiction Resource Hotline: This is a list of addiction and suicide crisis hotlines that have been medically reviewed. They are free, confidential, and available 365 days a week, 24 hours a day.

Resources

Many organizations are making efforts and compiling resources to help with this epidemic and promote well-being, including:

Additional resources:

Additional articles:

Visit our Clinical Well-being Page.

Gold Connection Podcast

Episode 5: Fostering Wellness through Connection with Dr. Steven Wengel and Dr. Kenneth Zoucha
This episode, aired in recognition of National Suicide Prevention Month, features Dr. Steven Wengel and Dr. Kenneth Zoucha in a wide-ranging and intimate conversation about physician wellness, the particular risk factors often built into the physician culture, and how we can help colleagues and each other in fostering wellness.

Episode 7: Helping Women Physicians Thrive with Dr. Tammie Chang and Dr. Luisa Duran
This episode, aired in recognition of National Suicide Prevention Month, features Dr. Tammie Chang and Dr. Luisa Duran, with Gold Humanism Honor Society Director Louisa Tvito, in a conversation about physician wellness and the higher risks faced by female doctors. They share their stories, the terrible data on burnout, and how their need for change in medical culture led to them to create Pink Coat, MD — space and support to help other female physicians thrive, too.

Golden Glimmers and creative expression

Golden Glimmers are a way for GHHS members and all others to express themselves. Staff periodically requests themed submissions in the form of art, writing, photos and more.

Writing Medicine is a free weekly reflective writing sessions for a spectrum of healthcare workers, led by Dr. Laurel Braitman of Stanford’s Medicine and the Muse Program.

Take a moment to listen to Don’t Give Up, a creative contribution by singer-songwriter Mia Stegner and shared by the Hold On Campaign for Suicide Prevention. Understanding the power of words and music, The Hold On Campaign uses art making, music, and poetry to help save lives. Visit the art gallery for more emotionally impactful work.

For more examples of creative expression and reflection connected to healthcare experiences, visit the Art, Design, and Humanities Collection.

Navigate back to Clinician Well-being main page.