Breaking the Silence: Confronting Physician Stress & Suicide in Modern Healthcare-AFSP Resource

AFSP Resource

Pdf Summary

The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP) offers guidelines for safely discussing suicide and mental health, emphasizing education and hope. When sharing stories involving suicide or attempts, avoid mentioning specific methods or lethal means to prevent triggering vulnerable individuals or promoting contagion. Focus on the full journey of mental health, including both struggles and successes, rather than isolating moments of pain.<br /><br />It's important not to attribute suicide to a single event like job loss or divorce, as suicide results from multiple risk factors, often involving treatable mental health conditions. Avoid sharing details about the location of a suicide or notes left behind, to prevent glamorizing the act or suggesting it is a communication method. Use sensitive language: avoid terms like “committed suicide” due to their stigmatizing implications; instead, use “died by suicide” or similar phrases. Also, do not describe attempts as “successful” or “failed,” or romanticize or honor suicide as an option.<br /><br />Encourage the understanding that therapy and medication can help manage mental health conditions and do not suppress personality. Stress that help is always available, recovery is possible, and mental health can be managed just like physical health. Promote the message that suicide is preventable, and no one has to face mental health challenges alone. <br /><br />Provide crisis support information, including the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (1-800-273-TALK) and the Crisis Text Line (text TALK to 741741), along with AFSP’s website (afsp.org) for resources. <br /><br />For social media storytelling, follow technical tips such as filming orientation based on platform, steady camera placement, good lighting, minimal distractions, subtitles or captions, and high-quality video (1080p or above). Tag AFSP @afspnational on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and TikTok to help spread safe and effective messaging.

Keywords

American Foundation for Suicide Prevention

suicide prevention guidelines

safe suicide discussion

mental health awareness

suicide contagion prevention

sensitive language in suicide

therapy and medication

crisis support resources

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline

social media storytelling tips