Suicide among nurses is a profoundly important yet historically under-explored area of occupational health research. Over the past four decades, evidence has gradually emerged highlighting the unique vulnerabilities faced by nurses in relation to mental health challenges, distress, and suicide risk.
The RESUME project (REsearch into Scottish nursing SUicide and Mental health Experience) builds upon this legacy, combining historical analysis with innovative digital tools and predictive analytics. Our goal is simple yet ambitious: to transform how we understand, detect, and ultimately prevent suicide among nurses.
Historical Context (1980–2000)
Limited Recognition
During the 1980s and 1990s, suicide in the nursing profession remained largely unspoken and under-researched. Studies focused on general occupational health without significant attention to suicide among healthcare workers.
Key Challenges
- High occupational stress, emotional labour, and shift work.
- Stigma surrounding mental health issues within the healthcare workforce.
- Lack of systematic data collection specific to occupational suicide risk.
Growing Awareness and Emerging Research (2000–2015)
A Turning Point
The early 2000s saw increasing global focus on healthcare worker wellbeing, particularly following events like SARS and rising workloads in health systems. Meta-analyses and national studies began to identify elevated suicide rates among nurses compared to other professions.
Notable Findings
- Studies in the US and Europe revealed female nurses had consistently higher suicide rates than the general population.
- Male nurse suicide risk also became a growing concern, though less frequently highlighted.
Limitations
Despite this progress:
- Data remained fragmented, often limited to retrospective mortality records.
- Few interventions were developed specifically for nurses.
- Mental health initiatives were largely reactive rather than proactive or predictive.
“Female nurses have been at greater risk since 2005 and males since 2011.”
— 2020 Study from San Diego
Modern Developments (2015–2025)
Data Insights
By the mid-2010s, research increasingly documented occupational suicide risk as a distinct public health concern. The COVID-19 pandemic further intensified focus on healthcare worker mental health, with frontline nurses reporting unprecedented levels of stress and distress.
Policy Shifts
- Governments and professional bodies began explicitly recognising suicide risk among nurses.
- Calls for targeted prevention strategies became more urgent and widespread.
Suicide in Nursing – The Scottish Context
In Scotland, the occurrence and prevention of suicide remain areas of significant concern. The latest statistics show:
- 762 probable suicides in 2022, a slight increase from 753 in 2021.
- This reflects a decrease from 805 deaths recorded in 2020, indicating fluctuations in recent years.
The Scottish Government’s Creating Hope Together strategy (2022–2032) aims to:
- Reduce suicide deaths in all population groups.
- Address inequalities contributing to suicide risk.
- Develop data-driven interventions tailored to high-risk occupations, including healthcare.
Note: Despite these efforts, there remains no comprehensive Scottish dataset dedicated to suicide risk in nurses. That gap is precisely what RESUME seeks to fill.
The RESUME Project – A New Paradigm
Aims
- Predictive Modelling: Build statistical and machine learning models to identify patterns and early warning signals in suicide risk among nurses.
- Real-Time Data Collection: Implement the ASC App to track real-time distress signals and contextual factors contributing to risk.
- Historical Insight: Analyse over 15 years of Scottish health records to map trends and risk factors over time.
- Lived Experience Engagement: Ensure nurses shape every stage of research design, interpretation, and recommendations.
Why This Matters
Through innovative data science and partnership with the nursing community, RESUME aims to answer critical questions:
- When and where are nurses most vulnerable?
- How does workplace distress translate into long-term risk?
- Can digital tools identify signals of crisis before tragedy occurs?
“Traditional approaches have been reactive. RESUME shifts the paradigm toward proactive, predictive, and preventative action.”
A Vision for the Future
By 2025, RESUME aims to deliver:
- The first Scottish dataset focused on nursing suicide risk.
- Predictive algorithms capable of identifying periods of heightened vulnerability.
- Insights to inform national policy and local workplace interventions.
- A blueprint for applying this approach in other high-risk occupational groups.
Ultimately, our mission is simple: to help save the lives of those who save ours.
RESUME UK 