NYC Health + Hospitals launches American Foundation for Suicide Prevention interactive screening program for providers in need of mental health support
The Interactive Screening Program is an anonymous, interactive tool that has been adopted by many healthcare, law enforcement, and higher education institutions.
According to the Journal of the American Medical Association, U.S. healthcare workers have a higher risk of suicide than non-healthcare workers.
March 13, 2024
NYC Health + Hospitals has partnered with the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP) to introduce the Interactive Screening Program, an online self-screening tool that allows staff to connect with colleagues and clinical support before a potential crisis emerges. This partnership builds on NYC Health + Hospitals' staff wellness program, Helping Healers Heal (H3). Anonymous screening tools are customized for health systems. Employees complete a short survey on stress and depression, receive feedback on available mental health programs, and schedule a debriefing with their H3 Peer Support Champion if needed. AFSP He founded ISP in 2001 to reduce the stigma of mental health in providing mental health support to everyone who needs it.
“Taking care of your health also means taking care of your mental health,” he said. NYC Health + Hospitals President and CEO Mitchell Katz, MD. “NYC Health + Hospitals is proud to strengthen our efforts to support the mental health of our employees through our new partnership with AFSP. Our healthcare workers are exposed to trauma and critically ill patients. This tool can help frontline health care workers recognize the signs and symptoms of distress and learn about available mental health service options. .”
“As Helping Healers Heal (H3) celebrates its sixth anniversary at NYC Health + Hospitals, we continue to evolve and build on the wealth of wellness resources available to all of our staff,” he said. NYC Health + Hospitals Senior Vice President and System Chief Quality Officer Eric Wei, MD, MBA. “The addition of ISP is a true milestone in adding robust wellness resources for our staff.”
To date, ISP has supported more than 280,000 employees in more than 200 organizations across healthcare, academic, law enforcement, and other workplaces. In 2022, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported that nearly half of health care workers felt burnt out, and said mental health crises among health care workers have recently skyrocketed. The Physicians Foundation found that more than 76% of physicians, residents, and medical students agree that stigma against mental health among physicians still exists. A recent study by the Journal of the American Medical Association found that healthcare workers in the United States are at higher risk of suicide than non-healthcare workers.
“We are grateful for this new collaboration with AFSP. NYC Health + Hospitals is proud to participate in this effort to advocate for mental health resources for all staff in an equitable manner.” New York City Health + Hospitals Jeremy Segal, Assistant Vice President and System Chief Wellness Officer. “ISP is a great way for staff to seek help in a confidential and voluntary way and ensure they always have the opportunity to be cared for in the same way they would care for anyone else.”
“AFSP believes that the mental health of frontline healthcare workers must be prioritized.” AFSP Chief Medical Officer Dr. Christine Yu Moutier. “ISP encourages people to seek help for mental health issues by creating safe ways to connect with available support, especially for those who may be reluctant to reach out. Caring for Others For healthcare providers who are accustomed to providing support, peer support and connections to clinical services are critical to promoting well-being and resilience and reducing suicide risk.”
ISP is listed in the Best Practices Registry for Suicide Prevention, the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education's Tools and Resources for Physician Health, and is included in the U.S. Surgeon General's report, “Increasing Health Care Worker Burnout”. It is also listed as a recommended program in “What to Do: American Surgeons''. The General's Recommendations on Building a Thriving Health Workforce. ”
To learn more about AFSP, the nation's leading organization on the front lines of science, advocacy, public education, and suicide victim support, visit our website at www.afsp.org/isp.
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contact:
New York City Health + Hospitals: 212-788-3339; PressOffice@nychhc.org
American Foundation for Suicide Prevention: 929-625-5884; pr@afsp.org
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About NYC Health + Hospitals
NYC Health + Hospitals is the nation's largest public health system, serving more than 1 million New Yorkers annually at more than 70 patient care facilities in the city's five boroughs. A robust network of outpatient, neighborhood-based primary and specialty care centers strengthens care coordination with the system's trauma centers, nursing homes, post-acute care centers, home care agencies and MetroPlus Health Plans. All of this is supported by 11 key hospitals. The company's diverse workforce of more than 43,000 employees is uniquely focused on helping New Yorkers live the healthiest lives possible, without exception. For more information, visit www.nychealthandhospitals.org and connect with us on Facebook. twitterInstagram, and LinkedIn.
About the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention
The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention is dedicated to saving lives and bringing hope to those affected by suicide, including those who have experienced loss. AFSP creates a culture of mental health wisdom through public education and community programs, advances suicide prevention through research and advocacy, and provides support to those affected by suicide. Led by CEO Robert Gebbia, AFSP is headquartered in New York with an advocacy office in Washington, DC. He has local chapters in all 50 states, including Puerto Rico, and has programs and events across the country. Learn more about AFSP in his latest annual report and join the conversation about suicide prevention by following him on AFSP on Facebook. twitterInstagram, YouTube.
