Suicide Rate among Certain Healthcare Workers Is on the Rise

Women who work in the healthcare support sector have the third highest suicide rate among women by occupation, and the rate among men is decreasing but remains even higher, according to a November 16, 2018, Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The suicide rate among women working in healthcare support was 11 deaths per 100,000 workers in 2015, a 31% increase from 2012. Healthcare support personnel includes home healthcare nurses, personal aides, nursing assistants, orderlies, psychiatric aides, and physical therapist assistants. Men who work in healthcare support had a suicide rate of 19.5 per 100,000 workers in 2015, which is actually a 12% decrease from 2012.