Study: Nurses At Greater Risk Of Suicide Than Others

Thursday, February 20, 2020

Credit: UC San Diego

Above: The UC San Diego School of Medicine building shown in this undated picture.

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The UC San Diego study found female nurses are 1.4 times more likely to take their own lives than the general population. Researchers point to the need for more suicide prevention programs.

Aired: February 20, 2020 | Transcript

A new UC San Diego study found nurses are at higher risk of suicide than the general population.

If you or someone you know may be considering suicide, contact the San Diego Crisis Line: (888) 724-7240.

The study found female nurses are 1.4 times more likely to take their own lives than others. Researchers point to the need for more suicide prevention programs. At UCSD, the Healer Education Assessment and Referral Program or "HEAR", allows nurses to anonymously get help if their mental health starts to decline.

"No one at work will ever know that you went to see the therapist or that you got counseling. You can even remain anonymous where you speak through an encrypted email," said Judy Davidson, a nurse and research scientist with UC San Diego.

One person dies every 40 seconds by suicide, according to the World Health Organization and suicide remains the nation's 10th leading cause of death.

Davidson and Rachael Accardi, a UC San Diego therapist with the "HEAR" program joined Midday Edition on Thursday to talk about some of the challenges nurses are facing and what they can do to find help.