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National Suicide Memorial Day for Health and Care Workers
17th September 2026
Contents
- What is NSMD?
- 2026 Theme: Lasting Memories, Building Hope
- Lasting Memories
- Building Hope
- How can I take part in NSMD?
- Campaign resources
What is NSMD?
The National Suicide Memorial Day for Health and Care Workers (NSMD), was launched on 17th September 2024 by NHS Practitioner Health and Doctors in Distress.
Since 2011, 2,500 healthcare workers in the UK have died by suicide - on average, four every week. These were dedicated professionals, family members, and friends who were struggling, often in silence.
NSMD provides an annual opportunity to honour their lives of the healthcare workiers we have lost, acknowledge the challenges faced by those in the healthcare profession, and spark change to protect the mental health of healthcare workers today.
2026 Theme: Lasting Memories, Building Hope
This year, we will be launching a new virtual In Remembrance wall, where tributes, photographs and shared memories can be contributed to honour those we have lost and celebrate their vocation, service and impact on others. Alongside this, we will introduce a Messages of Hope wall, providing a space to leave words of encouragement, support and solidarity for colleagues who may be struggling or facing difficult times.
By taking part, you will be helping to highlight NHS England’s commitment to supporting the wellbeing of NHS staff across the UK. To leave a message, please click the tab below.
In Remembrance
Message of Hope
Visit the memorial wall
Act:
- Check in with a colleague to see how they are doing
- Share your story of mental ill health with loved ones, colleagues, or even online to help start conversations and destigmatise the topic of mental health amongst health and care professionals
- Raise awareness of mental health support available for health and care professionals through sharing an email, social media posts (#NSMD27 #lastingmemoriesbuildinghope) or putting up posters in your breakroom.
How can I take part in NSMD?
The National Suicide Memorial Day for Health and Care Workers is an annual opportunity raise awareness of the importance of workforce wellbeing in healthcare.
By taking part in this year’s NSMD, you will be helping to highlight NHS England’s commitment to supporting the wellbeing of NHS staff across the UK.
There are a variety of ways to get involved on this incredibly important day:
1. Host a Memorial
Many organisations across the UK host a memorial event on NSMD to honour the lives of the healthcare workers we have tragically lost to suicide. Notably, the University Hospitals of Leicester planted a memorial tree with Doctors in Distress in 2024, and hosted a memorial event in 2025.
A memorial could be hosting a minute of silence, providing a space for staff to share memories of friends, loved ones, or colleagues they have lost to suicide, or simply lighting a candle in your home.
National Suicide Memorial Day event hosted by University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust at Glenfield Hospital, 17th September 2024.
2. Check in with a colleague to see how they are doing.
Practitioner Health’s Suicide Navigation Guide includes a helpful section titled ‘Worried About a Colleague?’, which provides advice on noticing signs of distress in a colleague, how to begin a conversation with them, and how to support them to get the help they need.
3. Share your story.
The stigma surrounding mental ill health within healthcare is still prevalent.
Many health and care professionals believe that struggling with their mental health is a sign that they are unable to do their jobs. On NSMD, help us to break down the taboo surrounding mental ill health amongst health and care professionals by sharing your story with mental ill health with loved ones, colleagues, or even online.
4. Raise awareness of the mental health support available for health and care professionals.
Many healthcare staff feel unable to access mental health support from their local GP due to worries that they will come across someone they work with. This NSMD, use your voice to raise awareness of the support specifically available for healthcare staff – speak to your organisation’s wellbeing lead, send out emails, share social media posts, or put up posters in your breakroom!
5. Plant a Memorial Tree With Doctors in Distress
Doctors in Distress launched the National Memorial Tree Campaign in 2023 to remember healthcare workers who have taken their own lives. This campaign aspires for every hospital trust in the country to plant a tree on their grounds to honour the lives of these healthcare workers. The memorial tree would also be a symbol of the hospital’s commitment to protect the mental health and wellbeing of their staff.
- If you would like to plant a tree, fill out the contact form.
- Find Frequently Asked Questions about the tree campaign online
6. Wear a Memorial Badge
The NSMD memorial badge pays tribute to health and care workers who have died by suicide, and showcases your support to improve workforce wellbeing for health and care professionals. All proceeds go to Doctors in Distress, who support the wellbeing of healthcare workers through weekly support groups.
Campaign resources
To support this year’s campaign, we have created a range of downloadable resources – including digital and printable materials that organisations and individuals can use to raise awareness of NSMD by sharing them through social media, internal newsletters, or putting up posters in your breakroom.
Together, we can create a supportive environment where health and care workers feel safe to seek help when they need it.
Download the resources online or for any further questions, please contact us.
Social Media Captions
Caption for Organisations
Today is the National Suicide Memorial Day for Health and Care Workers, an annual event organised by NHS Practitioner Health and Doctors in Distress to remember the health and care workers we’ve lost to suicide – colleagues, friends, and loved ones whose absence is deeply felt.
As an organisation, we are committed to remembering, reflecting, and taking action to protect the mental health of health and care workers, and help create a future where no more lives are lost to suicide.
#NSMD27 #lastingmemoriesbuildinghope
Caption for Individuals
Today is the National Suicide Memorial Day for Health and Care Workers, an annual event organised by NHS Practitioner Health and Doctors in Distress to remember the health and care workers we’ve lost to suicide - colleagues, friends, and loved ones whose absence is deeply felt.
I am committed to remembering, reflecting, and taking action to protect the mental health of health and care workers, and help create a future where no more lives are lost to suicide.
#NSMD27 #lastingmemoriesbuildinghope
X Caption for Organisations
(Under 280 characters)
Today is #NSMD27, a day organised by Doctors in Distress and NHS Practitioner Health to honour the health and care professionals we’ve tragically lost. We are committed to protecting the mental health of health and care workers to make sure that no more lives are lost to suicide.
#lastingmemoriesbuildinghope
Today is #NSMD27, a day organised by Doctors in Distress and NHS Practitioner Health to honour the health and care professionals we’ve tragically lost.
We are committed to making sure that no more lives are lost to suicide.
#lastingmemoriesbuildinghope
Social Media Accounts
NHS Practitioner Health
- Instagram: @nhs_prachealth
- Facebook: NHS Practitioner Health
- LinkedIn: @nhs-practitioner-health
- Bluesky: @nhsprachealth.bsky.social
- Threads: @nhs_prachealth
- X (formerly Twitter): @NHSPracHealth
Doctors in Distress
- Instagram: @docs_in_distress
- Facebook: Doctors in Distress
- LinkedIn: @doctors-in-distress
- X (formerly Twitter): @DoctorsDistress
National Suicide Memorial Day for Health and Care Workers: 17th September 2024
The 17th September 2024 marked the first instance of the National Suicide Memorial Day for Health and Care Workers. As part of our campaign, NHS Practitioner Health and Doctors in Distress held and participated in a variety of events which honoured the lives of health and care workers who died by suicide.
Memorial Tree Plaque Unveiling, Riverside Medical Centre
In the company of leaders in the health and care field, and family members of those who have died, Practitioner Health and Doctors in Distress unveiled a memorial tree plaque at Riverside Medical Centre, Vauxhall. For spaces where a memorial tree cannot be planted, a memorial tree plaque provides an indoor space to honour, reflect, and remember the health and care professionals we have tragically lost.
For more information on planting a tree or displaying a memorial tree plaque, contact Doctors in Distress.
Memorial Tree Planting
As part of Doctors in Distress’ National Memorial Tree Campaign, tree planting ceremonies took place on the 17th September 2024 at Glenfield Hospital, Leicester, The Christie Foundation, Manchester, and Salford Royal Hospital. Hospitals which already have memorial trees, including Fairfield General, Watford General, and Rochdale Infirmary, also held ceremonies to mark the day.
Read BBC South East’s coverage of the memorial tree planting at Glenfield Hospital, Leicester
Contact
NHS Practitioner Health
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St George Wharf
London
SW8 2JB
Telephone: 0300 0303 300
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