National Suicide Memorial Day for Health and Care Workers

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17th September

We want you to be involved in this year’s National Suicide Memorial Day. By raising awareness of this important day, you can help to create a future where no more lives are lost to suicide.

About

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.

Our aim is that this day which takes place every year on 17th September, is an opportunity to remember the healthcare workers we’ve lost to suicide – colleagues, friends, and loved ones whose contributions made a difference, and whose absence is deeply felt.

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.

This Memorial Day provides an opportunity to honour their lives, acknowledge the challenges faced by those in the healthcare profession, and spark change to protect the mental health of healthcare workers today. 

2025 theme: Hope Through Action

This year’s theme is ‘Hope Through Action’: an invitation to remember, reflect, and act to help create a future where no more lives are lost to suicide.

By taking part, you will be helping to highlight NHS England’s commitment to supporting the wellbeing of NHS staff across the UK.

Remember:

  • Plant a memorial tree through Doctors in Distress’ National Memorial Tree Campaign
  • Share stories and memories with loved ones and colleagues.

Reflect:

  • Gathering with your team by your memorial tree
  • Lighting a candle at home
  • Spending a quiet moment in nature.

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 (#NSMD #HopeThroughAction) or putting up posters in your breakroom.

Campaign resources

We want you to be as involved as possible with NSMD. To help spread the word, we’ve produced some handy campaign resources which are free to download and use.

Communications Toolkit

To support this year’s campaign, we have created a communications toolkit with a range of downloadable resources – including digital, printable, and social media materials.

We encourage teams to use these resources to raise awareness through internal newsletters, bulletins, social media channels, posters, and more. Together, we can create a supportive environment where health and care workers feel safe to seek help when they need it.

Access the resources on Google Drive

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.

#NSMD #HopeThroughAction

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.

#NSMD #HopeThroughAction

X Caption for Organisations

(Under 280 characters)

Today is #NSMD, 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.

#HopeThroughAction

Today is #NSMD, 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.

#HopeThroughAction

Social Media Accounts

NHS Practitioner Health

Doctors in Distress

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
Riverside Medical Centre
Hobart House
St George Wharf
London
SW8 2JB

Telephone: 0300 0303 300

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