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West Herts NHS Trust marks first national suicide memorial day for health and care workers

Posted: 18 September 2024

Staff standing next to a memorial tree

Staff at West Hertfordshire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust came together this week to remember health professionals who had died of suicide for the first ever National Memorial Day.

The event organised by the charity Doctors in Distress, in partnership with NHS Practitioner Health, aims to show collective support for those who have lost loved ones and to raise awareness of the help on offer to anyone struggling.

One nurse kills themselves every three weeks and a doctor every four weeks, according to the charity, which is urging people who are struggling to get help. A survey last year, also found 34% of health care staff were suffering from burnout and 37% were emotionally exhausted.

Last December, Doctors in Distress planted a memorial tree at Watford General Hospital in memory of all health and care workers who have lost their lives to suicide. This was part of a broader initiative where numerous NHS Trusts across the UK planted trees to remember their staff.

The charity Doctors in Distress was founded by Watford resident Amandip Sidhu following the suicide of his brother, Jagdip Sidhu, a cardiologist, in 2018.

Amandip and Kelly McGovern, Chief Nurse at West Hertfordshire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust held a minute’s silence at the memorial tree to remember lives that have been lost and encouraging staff to think about mental health.

Mr Sidhu said: “Today is a significant day where colleagues and loved ones can come together to remember those healthcare workers we have lost.

"Please do reach out for help if you’re struggling. There are great support structures in place to get the help you need. There is no shame in speaking out."

Kelly McGovern, Chief Nurse said: “As healthcare professionals, we often prioritise others’ well-being over our own. Today, we remember our colleagues who faced immense personal struggles and, tragically, are no longer with us. We must continue to create a culture where mental health is openly discussed and support is readily available."

If you or someone you know is struggling, help is available from the organisations below:

  1. Samaritans: call 116 123 or email jo@samaritans.org (24/7)
  2. Text ‘SHOUT’ to 85258 (24/7)
  3. Saneline: Call 0300 304 7000 (open 4-10pm) for practical info, crisis care, emotional support.
  4. National Domestic Violence Helpline - Call: 0808 2000 247 Freephone 24/7
  5. Aanchal Women's Aid: 0800 0124 924 (24-hour helpline for Asian Women)
  6. No Panic: 0300 772 9844 10am-10pm (for people experiencing panic or anxiety problems)

Ends

  1. For media enquiries, please contact the communications team on: 01923 436280 or email: westherts.communications@nhs.net. For out of hours media enquiries please call the Watford General Hospital switchboard on 01923 244366 and ask for the on-call communications manager.
  2. West Hertfordshire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust serves people from across Hertfordshire, north London and further afield. It operates from three hospitals: Watford General, St Albans City and Hemel Hempstead. The trust has a catchment area of over 500,000 people and is one of the largest employers locally, with around 5,000 staff and volunteers.
  3. For more information about our hospitals, visit the West Hertfordshire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust's website.. You can also join our followers on Twitter (twitter.com/westhertsNHS) and find us on Facebook (facebook.com/westhertsNHS).