The Terrible Bit

• Between 2016 (when I qualified as a doctor) and 2021, 521 healthcare professionals lost their lives to suicide in England. This is just under 2 per week. 

• The suicide rate in doctors is estimated to be between two to five times higher than that of the average population, whilst over 360 nurses attempted suicide in 2022 alone.

• Between 2020 and 2021, two thirds of Intensive Care staff reported moderate to severe anxiety and depression, problem drinking or symptoms consistent with PTSD. Between 1 in 5 and 1 in 7 clinicians reported thoughts of suicide during this time.

• Tragically, within healthcare as in the general population, we continue to lose our friends, colleagues and loved ones to suicide. 

The Hopeful Bit

• The mission of Samaritans is that fewer people die by suicide, but they are also there to listen without judgement or pressure at times of darkness, hopelessness and crisis. Whatever you're going through, a Samaritan will face it with you.

• Every 10 seconds Samaritans respond to a call for help. They are there for us all, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

• Samaritans don't just work at the moment of crisis, they are also constantly working with schools, hospitals, prisons and other institutions to conduct essential research and provide awareness and training in a subject many of us find difficult to confront. 

• It costs around £500 an hour to keep the phone lines open, allowing Samaritans to carry on their incredible and essential work. 

The Rob Burrow Leeds Marathon is my first marathon, and I'm proud to be running for this incredible charity. I'm so grateful for any donations at all towards this very important cause. Thank you for your support!! 

***Samaritans can be contacted on 116 123 for free, and by emailing jo@samaritans.org***