July 19, 2018

Hello,
National Suicide Prevention month is held each year in September. With recent headlines of celebrity deaths by suicide and the tragic news that the national suicide rate has risen 25 percent since 1999, there is a growing need for a timely discussion—and action.
As the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King once said, “We are now faced with the fact that tomorrow is today. We are confronted with the fierce urgency of now. In this unfolding conundrum of fire and history, there ‘is’ such a thing as being too late. This is no time for apathy or complacency. This is a time for vigorous and positive action.”
All physicians need to learn how to recognize and address mental and behavioral health issues. We need to be comfortable asking our patients about depression and suicidal thoughts and need to know where to refer depressed patients for care. But, we also need to be willing to reflect upon our own emotional well-being; symptoms of depression and anxiety or other psychological disorders; substance use; suicidal thoughts; and burnout. Rates of depression are much higher in medical students and physicians than in the general population. Burnout is associated with increased risk for depression, substance misuse, and suicidal behavior among physicians. I encourage anyone who is struggling to access behavioral health services.
We are fortunate that UTHealth has experts and resources available to help those dealing with depression, suicidal thoughts, and other psychological difficulties. Our Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences helps the Greater Houston community and is here for our own students, residents, fellows, staff, and faculty through its clinics at theBehavior and Biomedical Sciences Buildingat 1941 East Road, throughout various UT Physicians community clinics, and at its inpatient facility at theUTHealth Harris County Psychiatric Center.
The office of Student Health and Counseling Services is available to help students with medical and counseling needs. They are located in Suite 130 of the UT Professional Building 8:30 a.m. – 5 p.m. For an appointment students should call 713-500-5171. ALSO, students may call the I-M-UT Hotline (713-500-4688) for themselves or with concerns about a fellow student at any time 24/7.
The UTHealth Office of Employee Assistance Programs (EAP) is available for all UTHealth faculty, residents, staff and dependents. To set up a session, employees and residents can call 713-500-3327. Assistance to faculty is available via 713-500-3880.
It takes each of us to make a difference – to ask a question, lend an ear or a helping hand, offer a kind word, give an encouraging smile, and guide friends and colleagues to receive proper treatment for depression and thoughts of suicide. We never know what can make that difference.
Warm regards,
Barbara
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline– 1-800-273-8255
特雷福项目, an LGBT crisis intervention and suicide prevention hotline –1-866-488-7386
Remind Support(Harris County)
American Foundation for Suicide Prevention