Therapist Suicide

Curt and Katie talk about a recent news story related to Dr. Gregory Eells, the Executive Director of the Counseling and Psychological Services at University of Pennsylvania, who died by suicide in September 2019. We talk about how the understanding of risk factors, the changing face of our profession, and calls for self-care are insufficient to address the mental health needs of mental health professionals.           It’s time to reimagine therapy and what it means to be a therapist. To support you as a whole person and a therapist, your hosts, Curt Widhalm and Katie Vernoy talk about how to approach the role of therapist in the modern age. In this episode we talk about: Therapist death by suicide The life and work of Dr. Gregory Eells The risk factors for therapist suicide: our own mental health concerns, highly challenging our work is, the changing work environments, burnout and isolation. The insufficiency of “self-care” as a solution and what it infers about the mental health professionals who are unable to employ it The systemic issues leading to poor mental health in the professionals University counseling centers – the increasing percentage utilization, a look at how access and services have been affected How new legislation that could improve the situation is still insufficient A call for early intervention, comprehensive services How caseloads are impacted by limiting services to clients with the highest level of need Moral injury in addition to “burnout” Suggested solutions for individuals and for systems The importance of assessing capacity and need What types of things to assess: (culture, demographics, etc.) Getting creative, while assessing true capacity (time, energy, personnel, space, mental/emotional, sustainability of effort)   Resources mentioned: We’ve pulled together resources mentioned in this episode and put together some handy-dandy links. Your Tango Article: Head of UPenn’s Mental Health Services Dies By Suicide Psychologist suicide: Incidence, impact, and suggestions for prevention, intervention, and postvention Dr. Eells’ TEDx talk on Resilience Center for Collegiate Mental Health, 2015 Annual Report AUCCCD Survey 2018 Who helps the caregiver? Penn counselor’s suicide highlights how experts aren’t immune from struggles It’s Not Burnout, It’s Moral Injury by Dr. Zubin Damania Center for Collegiate Mental Health 2018 – Clinical Load Index Penn Today: A Conversation with new CAPS Director Gregory Eells   Relevant Episodes: The Burnout System Addressing the Burnout System All Kinds of Burned Out Impaired Therapists   Connect with us! Our Facebook Group – The Modern Therapists Group Get Notified About Therapy Reimagined 2020 (and TR2019 Virtual Conference)   Our consultation services: The Fifty-Minute Hour Credits: Voice Over by DW McCann https://www.facebook.com/McCannDW/ Music by Crystal Grooms Mangano http://www.crystalmangano.com/