playnext.fm

The Power of Nutrition Podcast · Abbott Nutrition Health Institute

Suicide

May 15, 2023·18 min·1 clip
Dr. McGrath reveals the subtle behaviors that signal a colleague might be contemplating suicide.
This episode of the Power of Nutrition Podcast focuses on suicide, specifically among healthcare professionals. Host Bicey Dulciato interviews clinical psychologist Dr. Patrick McGrath, an expert in anxiety disorders and exposure therapy. Dr. McGrath discusses the elevated suicide risk within the nursing profession, referencing CDC data showing nurses were 18% more likely to die from suicide than the general population between 2007 and 2018. He attributes this increased risk to factors like staffing shortages, longer work hours, poor nutrition, and increased isolation due to workplace barriers like PPE. The conversation explores early warning signs in colleagues, such as increased isolation, missing shifts, appearing distracted, or missing routine tasks. Dr. McGrath distinguishes between fleeting suicidal thoughts and more dangerous, persistent patterns involving research and planning. He emphasizes the importance of "breaking the silent code" and genuinely asking people how they are doing. The host shares a personal story about losing her sister to suicide in 2022, noting her sister's fear of being a burden. Dr. McGrath advises directly asking someone about their intent, plan, and means if suicide is mentioned, acting as a "mandated reporter" for colleagues. He provides crisis resources, including the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline and 1-800-273-TALK. For those grieving a loss by suicide, he recommends allowing grief without blame and loving the person without necessarily agreeing with their decision. A surprising claim is that asking about suicide does not plant the idea but opens a necessary door for discussion. The tone is educational, compassionate, and conversational, blending personal anecdote with professional guidance. This episode is crucial for healthcare workers, managers, and anyone concerned about mental health in high-stress professions. Listeners seeking a lighthearted or purely clinical discussion might find the direct, somber topic challenging.

As heard by us

A clear, practical guide to asking directly when suicide risk is on the table.

This episode treats suicide as a safety issue, not a vague wellness topic, and it keeps the language plain. It starts with a trigger warning and a data point about elevated suicide risk among nurses, then moves straight to the basics: ask whether the person is safe, whether they…

Read the full review in PlayNext →

Why you'd press play

A practical script for asking about suicide without hiding behind vague concern.

Read the full recommendation in PlayNext →
Listen to the show on
Apple PodcastsSpotify
Play clips from this episodeMore from The Power of Nutrition Podcast