Abstract
Nurses' mental health, essential for quality patient care, is severely compromised by systemic issues, resulting in heightened suicide risks. Recent data reveals that nurses face a higher suicide risk than other professions. This was tragically exemplified by the 2023 suicide of Tristin Kate Smith, whose "Letter to My Abuser" exposed the profound emotional and psychological toll of her work environment and inadequate support, highlighting critical systemic failures.
Statistical Context:
Between 2017 and 2018, 729 nurses in the U.S. died by suicide, totaling 2,374 nurse suicides from 2007 to 2018 (Davis et al., 2021).
40% of nurses report severe psychological distress, with many experiencing burnout and suicidal ideation (Labrague et al., 2022).
70% of nurses feel overwhelmed by their workload and work environment, contributing to increased suicide risks (Norton et al., 2023).
Proposed Solution: The Helping Our People Elevate (H.O.P.E.) Through Tough Times Certification provides a comprehensive approach with nine evidence-based best practices to address these issues effectively.
Impact:
Nursing Science: Advances suicide prevention and mental health support knowledge.
Patient Care: Improves care quality by reducing nurse distress and increasing job satisfaction.
Nursing Practice: Applies evidence-based strategies for a healthier work environment.
Education: Enhances curricula and professional development with stress management tools.
Administration: Guides the creation of supportive work environments and mental health management.
Leadership: Enables leaders to drive systemic changes for nurse mental health.
Policy Making: Develops evidence-based policies for mental health and workplace safety.
Conclusion: Addressing nurse suicide demands systemic and cultural transformation, not just superficial measures. The H.O.P.E. Certification provides a structured approach to create a supportive work environment, enhancing both nurse well-being and patient care.
Notes
References: Davis et al. (2021). Association of US Nurse and Physician Occupation With Risk of Suicide. JAMA psychiatry, 78(6), 1–8. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1001/jamapsychiatry.2021.0154
H.O.P.E. Certification. (n.d.). H.O.P.E. Certification. Retrieved August 10, 2024, from https://www.hopecertification.com/
Labrague et al. (2022). Stress and burnout among nurses: A comprehensive review. Journal of Nursing Management, 30(2), 235-245. https://doi.org/10.1111/jonm.13284
Norton, J., Williams, T., & Jones, R. (2023). The impact of workload and work environment on nurse mental health: A meta-analysis. International Journal of Nursing Studies, 135, 103-115. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijnurstu.2023.103341
Sigma Membership
Phi Pi
Type
Presentation
Format Type
Text-based Document
Study Design/Type
N/A
Research Approach
N/A
Keywords:
Workforce, Stress/coping, Global leadership
Recommended Citation
Wojnar, Christopher and Spencer-Thomas, Sally, "Addressing Nurse Mental Health and Suicide Prevention: The Role of the H.O.P.E. Certification" (2025). Creating Healthy Work Environments (CHWE). 42.
https://www.sigmarepository.org/chwe/2025/presentations_2025/42
Conference Name
Creating Healthy Work Environments
Conference Host
Sigma Theta Tau International
Conference Location
Phoenix, Arizona, USA
Conference Year
2025
Rights Holder
All rights reserved by the author(s) and/or publisher(s) listed in this item record unless relinquished in whole or part by a rights notation or a Creative Commons License present in this item record.
Review Type
Abstract Review Only: Reviewed by Event Host
Acquisition
Proxy-submission
Addressing Nurse Mental Health and Suicide Prevention: The Role of the H.O.P.E. Certification
Phoenix, Arizona, USA
Nurses' mental health, essential for quality patient care, is severely compromised by systemic issues, resulting in heightened suicide risks. Recent data reveals that nurses face a higher suicide risk than other professions. This was tragically exemplified by the 2023 suicide of Tristin Kate Smith, whose "Letter to My Abuser" exposed the profound emotional and psychological toll of her work environment and inadequate support, highlighting critical systemic failures.
Statistical Context:
Between 2017 and 2018, 729 nurses in the U.S. died by suicide, totaling 2,374 nurse suicides from 2007 to 2018 (Davis et al., 2021).
40% of nurses report severe psychological distress, with many experiencing burnout and suicidal ideation (Labrague et al., 2022).
70% of nurses feel overwhelmed by their workload and work environment, contributing to increased suicide risks (Norton et al., 2023).
Proposed Solution: The Helping Our People Elevate (H.O.P.E.) Through Tough Times Certification provides a comprehensive approach with nine evidence-based best practices to address these issues effectively.
Impact:
Nursing Science: Advances suicide prevention and mental health support knowledge.
Patient Care: Improves care quality by reducing nurse distress and increasing job satisfaction.
Nursing Practice: Applies evidence-based strategies for a healthier work environment.
Education: Enhances curricula and professional development with stress management tools.
Administration: Guides the creation of supportive work environments and mental health management.
Leadership: Enables leaders to drive systemic changes for nurse mental health.
Policy Making: Develops evidence-based policies for mental health and workplace safety.
Conclusion: Addressing nurse suicide demands systemic and cultural transformation, not just superficial measures. The H.O.P.E. Certification provides a structured approach to create a supportive work environment, enhancing both nurse well-being and patient care.
Description
Nurses face severe psychological distress and a suicide rate higher than the general population, worsened by burnout and inadequate support. This abstract highlights the need for systemic reform and presents the H.O.P.E. Certification as a solution.