Identifying and intervening with a suicidal colleague (IN: Davidson, J.E., Richardson, M. (Eds)., Workplace Wellness: From Resiliency to Suicide Prevention and Grief Management)

Stress, burnout, and mental health problems put clinicians at risk for negative health consequences including death by suicide. Worksite stress is known to be associated with mental health problems, which can be mitigated. Worksites can create resources and tools to assist a clinician in crisis and facilitate securing professional help. Understanding factors that increase risks for suicide, suicide assessment best practices, and evidence-based approaches to assist someone in crisis can potentially prevent suicide. The research in suicide assessment and prevention is evolving. Reduction in rates of suicide is possible with improved identification of factors that increase risk of suicide. Key approaches to suicide prevention include viewing suicide risk on a continuum, understanding suicide cognitions, addressing the environment for reducing risk, and retaining hope and the philosophy that recovery is possible. The latest science and strategies to approach and assist someone in crisis are reviewed in this chapter. Resources are provided that can facilitate gaining skill and confidence in helping someone in crisis. These include Mental Health First Aid and the Gatekeeper Programs. Intervening in a suicidal crisis with a colleague can be stressful and possibly traumatic. This chapter concludes with the importance of self-care for self after engaging in crisis intervention.