Suicide Prevention Month
Every September is Suicide Prevention Month. It is a time when we often rally to raise awareness, share resources, and support those at risk. While the focus is typically on patients and at-risk communities, it is essential to remember that providers themselves also carry a heavy emotional load. This month can be a reminder that their well-being matters too.
The Weight of the Work
Working in mental health or healthcare means regularly holding space for other people’s pain. Over time, this can lead to vicarious trauma, compassion fatigue, and burnout. A 2024 systematic review of therapists found that burnout rates among therapists can be as high as 50%. Counselors carry the emotional stressors of both their work in the therapy room and their personal lives. Suicide Prevention Month is not just about the clients we serve; it is also a chance to check in with ourselves.
Why Provider Well-Being Matters
When providers are supported, they are better able to show up for their clients. Conversely, neglecting self-care and professional boundaries can increase mistakes, reduce empathy, and heighten the risk of burnout. Recognizing your own limits is not selfish; it is a crucial part of ethical and effective practice.
What Providers Can Do This Month
Pause and reflect. Take time to notice how you are feeling physically, emotionally, and mentally. Journaling, meditation, or simply checking in with yourself between sessions or at the end of the day can highlight stress patterns that may otherwise go unnoticed.
Seek peer support. Talking with colleagues who understand the unique challenges of the work can be incredibly grounding. Whether through supervision, consultation groups, or informal check-ins, peer support provides perspective and reduces the sense of isolation.
Access your own therapy. Therapists deserve a confidential, supportive space to process their own emotions and experiences. Seeking therapy is not a sign of weakness, but a proactive step toward maintaining resilience and personal well-being.
Set boundaries. Protecting your time and energy by saying “no” when needed allows you to be more present when you say “yes.” Boundaries are not barriers; they are safeguards that help sustain your long-term ability to serve others.
Engage in prevention for yourself. Pay attention to early warning signs of burnout, such as irritability, fatigue, or withdrawal. Reaching out for professional help, adjusting your workload, or leaning on supportive networks early can prevent deeper emotional distress down the road.
A Shared Responsibility
Suicide Prevention Month reminds us that no one is immune to struggle, including providers. By normalizing conversations around our own mental health, we not only strengthen ourselves but also model healthy practices for those we serve.
We would love to hear some of the ways you practice self-care and boundaries.
Vivolo, M., Owen, J., & Fisher, P. (2024). Psychological therapists’ experiences of burnout: A qualitative systematic review and meta-synthesis. Mental Health & Prevention, 33, 200253.https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mhp.2022.200253