Straight Talking on the Unavoidable: "Preventing Suicides - It's Within Our Grasp!"
- Author: Verena Carl
- 6 Min
Prevention of Suicides: Opinion by Suicide Expert: 'Let's Save More Lives!' - Expert advocates for reducing suicide rate: "We have the means to save numerous lives!"
How do you tackle such a heavy subject?
- Suicide Prevention
- Mental Health
Although we rarely broach the topic, it's one that demands our attention - how to prevent suicides. Here's what experts like Dr. Cynthia Stern, a well-respected mental health professional, suggest.
Building a supportive environment is key, where individuals feel comfortable discussing their struggles. A perfect example can be found in Terri's heartbreaking tale on the Stryker podcast[1].
Next up, psychological first aid (PFA) training. This equips leaders and team members to recognize signs of stress and provide immediate support. By fair measure, this has proven to double referrals to support programs and reduces stigma[1].
Let's not forget creating trauma-informed cultures! This involves switching gears in organizational and workplace contexts, seeking to better understand the impact of traumatic experiences on individuals and fostering connections. In turn, this boosts trust and belonging among team members, improving patient-family experiences too[1].
An essential, yet often overlooked aspect is improving access to mental health resources. Whether it's crisis hotlines, text lines, or clear guidance on where to seek help, this remains a pivotal step in suicide prevention efforts[2].
Though the specifics of what Dr. Cynthia Stern has shared in her podcasts aren't explicitly detailed, the methods above are widely recognized and contribute to comprehensive suicide prevention strategies[1][2][4].
In short, a combination of a supportive culture, accessible resources, and proactive training remains the most potent approach to preventing suicides[1][2].
In the quest to prevent suicides, the author Verena Carl suggests creating a supportive community policy that encourages open discussions about mental health. Additionally, integration of science in health-and-wellness policies, such as psychological first aid training, can equip employees to recognize signs of distress and provide immediate support.
