Self-harm
Has something very stressful happened to you recently? Have you ever thought about harming yourself? If the answer is yes, and you’re a nurse or midwife, then you’re not alone.
Nurses and midwives are at greater risk than their healthcare colleagues of self-harm and suicidal thoughts.
Why we are at risk – work factors
Some of the reasons for higher rates of self-harm and suicidal thoughts in our professions are the particularly demanding nature of the job, long and often unsocial hours, and precarious work-life balance.
Suicide and self-harm are the most serious consequences of exposure to risks and experiences of psychosocial harm in the workplace, especially during crises.
A Monash University (2020) study found the risk of suicide more prevalent in certain occupations, such as midwifery and nursing, with:
- high demands
- low autonomy or control
- shift work
- physical danger
- access to lethal means of suicide such as medications.
Health and life stages that increase your risk
Thoughts of suicide or self-harm can be related to burnout, depression, anxiety and PTSD. Substance misuse and poor physical health are also risk factors. The younger you are, the higher you are at risk of self-harm and suicidal thoughts. Statistics and risks aside, the reality is it can happen to anyone at any stage in life.
Talking can help
Beginning to articulate and talk about these thoughts with someone, let alone process how you may be feeling, can be overwhelming and exhausting.
Addressing self-harm and suicidal thoughts may take time, but experienced nurses and midwives can listen and help you navigate to a safer space in the short term and explore some longer-term options for support.
Remember, you’re not alone. For a compassionate, judgement-free, confidential chat, call us.
If you’re worried about a colleague or someone close to you, call us to talk about how you might best broach it with them.
Nurses and midwives are incredibly good at looking after patients, but we must make sure that they are looking after themselves.
Negative thoughts?
Our experienced nurses and midwives listen and help you navigate to a safer space.
Suicidal thoughts
Suicidal thoughts are:
- clear and specific plans to take your own life
- less-defined ideas that you no longer wish to live
- more frequent thoughts about dying.
In a 2020 study of 7,795 healthcare professionals, of which 3,053 were nurses – 41% of participants reported occasional and 44% frequent thoughts of suicide or self-harm (Bismark et al., 2022).
The rate of suicide for Australian female nurses and midwives is nearly three times higher than for females in other professions. For male nurses and midwives, the suicide rate is almost double that of males in other professions (Milner et al., 2016)
Male nurses and midwives are at particular risk, with “occupational gender norms and anxiety about perceived stigma … due to the traditionally feminised characterisation of such roles,” Monash University (2020)
I thought ‘I’m failing at everything. People would be better off if I wasn’t here.’ Feelings of failing my family were ever present. I realised I was failing them anyway, and perhaps dying was the other option. I didn’t want that.Terry RN
If you need immediate help
The following helplines provide telephone crisis support and counselling 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and online assistance (limited hours, depending on the service):
- Lifeline on 13 11 14
- MensLine Australia on 1300 789 978
- Suicide Call Back Service on 1300 659 467
- Beyond Blue on 1300 22 46 36
- Headspace on 1800 650 890
References
- Suicide by health professionals: a retrospective mortality study in Australia, 2001-2012. A.J. Milner, 2016, Medical Journal of Australia
- Thoughts of suicide or self-harm among healthcare workers during the COVID-19 pandemic: qualitative analysis of open-ended survey responses, M. Bismark, 2022, BJPsych Open
- Suicide prevention in high-risk occupations: an Evidence Check rapid review by the Sax Institute for the NSW Ministry of Health, 2020
- Media release: Monash University report identifies occupations with greater risk of suicide, by Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences, Monash University
See also
-
Alcohol takes away the pain until it doesn’t
Stress, isolation and workplace bullying took RN Terry to a place of alcohol misuse and despair. He tells us how a specialist health service helped him to sobriety and new hope. -
Normalising counselling for nurses and midwives
Bridget talks about the need for counselling services so graduates will realise that they can debrief, and prevent burn-out from the beginning of their career.
- Topics
- Violence