The Association joins the Zero Suicide Alliance
The Association is pleased to announce our membership of the Zero Suicide Alliance. The Zero Suicide Alliance is a collaborative of National Health Service trusts, businesses and individuals who are all committed to suicide prevention in the UK and beyond. The alliance is ultimately concerned with improving support for people contemplating suicide by raising awareness of and promoting free suicide prevention training which is accessible to all.
Supporting the wellbeing of its members is a priority for the Association. Traditionally, anaesthetists have been considered at greater risk of suicide, possibly due to work-related stress, easy access to (and knowledge of) potent drugs, or both. A recent survey by the Association has highlighted the experiences of almost 1,400 anaesthetists who have lost a colleague through suicide. The survey reveals that most respondents are unaware of their Trust’s policies on mental illness, addiction or suicide. The Association is currently developing freely accessible guidelines to help individuals and hospital departments, to support both anaesthetists at risk and colleagues/departments in the aftermath of a suicide.
Commenting on joining the Alliance, our President Dr Kathleen Ferguson said: ‘We are delighted to be part of the Zero Suicide Alliance and the vital work they are doing to raise awareness of the resources available to support those at risk of suicide. Acknowledging our specialty as an at-risk group of individuals we are very keen to do everything we can to support our colleagues and their departments. We look forward to working with all members of the Zero Suicide Alliance.”
For more information please visit:
https://anaesthetists.org/Home/Wellbeing-support/Suicide
https://anaesthetists.org/Home/Wellbeing-support
https://anaesthetists.org/Home/News-opinion/Press/Survey-highlights-need-for-improved-mental-health-guidance-support-for-anaesthetists
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/anae.14727
https://anaesthetists.org/Home/Wellbeing-support/Fatigue/Help-Fight-Fatigue
https://www.zerosuicidealliance.com/about-us/