When a colleague commits suicide: how the staff reacts

1. A literature review on the subject of suicide by mental health professional indicates that research has been limited to family member survivors. There is some data on reactions to patient suicide by psychiatrists and psychologists. 2. The results of this study show that mental health professional survivors of peer suicide experience similar reactions to the studied groups. These include anger, guilt, loss of self-esteem, disruption of relationships, and concern about assessing for suicidality. 3. Subjects felt the victim did not reach out for help because she feared stigmatization; mental health professionals are not permitted to have serious problems. 4. The clinical nurse specialist can perform an important role by addressing this dynamic and working to provide a supportive and nonpunitive environment for mental health professionals experiencing problems.