The American Medical Association recently shared a toolkit endorsed by the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention containing suggestions and procedures aimed at helping medical practitioners deal with the loss of a colleague by suicide.
Listing logical protocols, “After a Suicide: A Toolkit for Physician Residency/Fellowship Programs” outlines do’s and don’ts, denoting the right steps to take and in what order following the untimely death of a fellow health care professional — particularly a trainee.
Top priorities include creating checklists, forming a response team to represent leadership within the organization, fact checking. and setting boundaries for sharing the event with others to lower the risk of “suicide contagion” for vulnerable parties. Response teams should also be responsible for policies concerning news media, if applicable.
The program covers ways of helping residents and fellows process the event, with the Foundation suggesting extra wellness activities and/or mental health services; and relaying similar help to faculty and staff in academic settings.
Additionally, a memorial for the deceased is recommended just as it would be for someone who died from illness or by accident in order to reduce stigma. Finally, the toolkit advocates carrying community support forward for “navigating” the future.
The toolkit includes a video and webinar. The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention is a nonprofit based in New York City.
