By Julie Cullen, Managing Editor, American Nurse Today

I have no idea what it’s like to lose someone I love to suicide, but this morning I was shocked and confused when I  learned that Anthony Bourdain killed himself in France today. He was an extremely intelligent and thoughtful person…curious, funny, self-reflective, and generous. At least that’s how he always seemed to me no matter what TV show he hosted or article he wrote. And I know that so many people were affected by Kate Spade’s suicide as well. Two well-known and talented individuals who seemed to have it all. The bottom line, of course, is that we never know what’s happening behind the scenes of someone else’s life.

National Suicide Prevention month isn’t until September, but I feel compelled to share some information about how nurses and other healthcare professionals can help prevent suicide. Suicide Prevention Lifeline already has up on their website professional initiatives for September.

• #BeThe1To is Suicide Prevention Lifeline’s message to help spread the word about actions you can take to help prevent suicide.
• Follow Up Matters is a digital resource dedicated to building partnerships related to follow-up and care transitions.
• You Matter is a safe space for youth to discuss and share stories about mental health and wellness.
• Zero Suicide is the belief that suicide deaths for individuals under care within health and behavioral health systems are preventable.
• Lifeline for Attempt Survivors is for those who have attempted suicide and their loved ones.
• Strength After is a hub for sharing stories of hope after all types of natural and human-caused disaster and a resource for survivors and responders who may be trying to cope and move forward.

And if you’re feeling hopeless, please reach out for help. Call 1-800-273-8255.

Julie Cullen, managing editor of American Nurse Today and a curator of online content for the American Nurse Today website, is most definitely not a nurse, but she admires what all of you do everyday. In her Off the Charts blog she shares some of her experiences as a patient and family member of patients, thoughts and ideas that occur to her during her work editing nursing content, and information she thinks you might find interesting. Julie welcomes your feedback. You can submit a comment on the website or email her at jcullen@healthcommedia.com.