by Mane Kara-Yakoubian

A study published in American #Psychologist examined the #suicide rates of #psychologists between 2003 and 2018, identifying 159 cases of #psychologist #suicide in the National Violent Death Reporting System. #Psychologists accounted for approximately 5% of #suicides among ten different #healthcareprofessions in 2018.

(If you are experiencing #suicidalthoughts, call the #NationalSuicidePreventionLifeline at 1-800-273-8255 or follow this link to their online chat.)

Globally, there are 700,000 deaths by #suicide per year – that is roughly 1 every 40 seconds. Between 2000 and 2018, #suicides increased by 65% in the #UnitedStates. Some groups, such as #healthcareprofessionals, are at greater risk of committing #suicide compared to the general population. However, there have been conflicting results with regard to #suicide among #psychologists. For example, some studies have identified higher rates of #suicide among #female #psychologists compared to the general population, and others have reported no differences, or lower rates of #suicides among #psychologists.

In this work, Tiffany Li and colleagues specifically examined #suicide rates among #psychologists as compared to other #healthprofessions by referring to 2003-2018 data in the National Violent Death Reporting System. Other #healthcareprofessions examined included #dentist, advanced practice registered #nurse, #nurse, #pharmacist, #physician assistant, nonpsychiatric #physician, #psychiatric #physician, #psychologist, #socialworker, and #veterinarian. A total of 159 #psychologists with doctoral degrees were identified, including retired or unemployed #psychologists. Related occupations, such as #counselor or #therapist, were excluded.

Half of these deaths occurred after 2014, with most (i.e., 34 deaths) occurring in the year 2018. Two-thirds of the reported #suicides were of #males, and the mean age of decedents was 56.3 years; #female decedents were slightly younger than #males, with 43% under age 50. Roughly 40% of decedents were married, in a civil union or domestic partnership, while 30% were divorced. The majority of decedents – 92% – were White. Approximately 36% of cases occurred in Southern states, while 25% and 20% occurred in Western and Midwestern states respectively.

At 34%, use of firearms was the most common method of #suicide, followed by asphyxia (28%) and overdose (26%). In 70% of cases, no #alcohol use was suspected at the time of #suicide. While 55% of decedents had #mentalhealthissues, of those individuals, 43% were seeking treatment, while 47% had treatment histories. #Depression/#dysthymia and #anxiety accounted for 43% and 12% of diagnoses respectively, while #alcohol and #substanceuse issues each accounted for 8% of reported problems.

#Psychologists accounted for roughly 5% of the 688 #suicides among all ten #healthcareprofessionals in 2018, comprising the fifth largest group, following #nurses, #socialworkers, #physicians, and #pharmacists.

#James Donaldson notes:Welcome to the “next chapter” of my life… being a voice and an advocate for #mentalhealthawarenessandsuicideprevention, especially pertaining to our younger generation of students and student-athletes.Getting men to speak up and reach out for help and assistance is one of my passions. Us men need to not suffer in silence or drown our sorrows in alcohol, hang out at bars and strip joints, or get involved with drug use.Having gone through a recent bout of #depression and #suicidalthoughts myself, I realize now, that I can make a huge difference in the lives of so many by sharing my story, and by sharing various resources I come across as I work in this space.  #http://bit.ly/JamesMentalHealthArticleOrder your copy of James Donaldson's latest book,#CelebratingYourGiftofLife:From The Verge of Suicide to a Life of Purpose and Joy

http://www.celebratingyourgiftoflife.com

One limitation to this work is that the true incidence of #suicide among #healthcareprofessionals is likely underestimated. In some cases, the decedent’s occupation may have not been reported. As well, there could be confusion regarding different types of #mentalhealthprofessions, leading to incorrect occupations being entered for some decedents.

The authors conclude, “At the most basic level, the #suicide of #healthprofessionals highlights the importance of being alert, attending to, and caring for colleagues whose distress may place them in greater jeopardy than may be apparent.”

The study, “#Suicides of #Psychologists and Other #HealthProfessionals: National Violent Death Reporting System Data, 2003–2018”, was authored by Tiffany Li, Megan L. Petrik, Rebecca L. Freese, and William N. Robiner.

Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com
https://standingabovethecrowd.com/2022/11/jamesdonaldson-on-mentalhealth-psychologists-accounted-for-almost-5-of-suicides-among-healthcareprofessionals-in-2018/