Suicide Prevention Month at Rutgers Health

August 29, 2024

Dear Rutgers Health community,

September is Suicide Prevention Month, and Rutgers Health is dedicated to raising awareness and destigmatizing conversations around suicide, providing support, and fostering a community of understanding and care for our faculty, staff, and learners.

According to the American Hospital Association (AHA), suicide significantly affects healthcare workers, who face unique stressors and challenges in their profession. Suicide is preventable: research shows that nine out of 10 people who attempt suicide and survive will not go on to die by suicide. Here at Rutgers Health, we are determined to prioritize the mental and physical well-being of our community members through initiatives like Suicide Prevention Month and our new Office for the Promotion of Well-being. We are determined to reduce the stigma surrounding mental health issues and improve access to support.

We encourage you to visit our new Suicide Prevention Month landing page, where you will find links to vital resources, a calendar of in-person and virtual events such as Recognizing and Managing Suicide Risk in Healthcare Settings, discussions and workshops, registering for a local community 5k, and more. Your participation can make a difference and is a great way to support our Rutgers Health community.

Together, we can create a safe and understanding environment for all. Let's break the silence and stand together this September. Awareness saves lives.

Sincerely,

Chantal Brazeau, MD
Chief Wellness Officer
Rutgers Health

Reka Somodi DNP
Senior Director, Promotion of Well-being
Rutgers Health Office of Clinical and Health Affairs

Vicente Gracias, MD
Senior Vice Chancellor for Clinical Affairs
Rutgers Health

Brian L. Strom, MD, MPH
Chancellor
Rutgers Health