In 2021, the Commonwealth of Kentucky took an important step forward when Governor Andy Beshear declared May as Nurse Suicide Prevention Month. This proclamation, supported by leaders from the University of Kentucky College of Nursing, the Kentucky Nurses Association, and other state partners, demonstrated what is possible when nursing leadership, advocacy, and policy align to address workforce mental health. Efforts in Kentucky also highlighted the importance of expanding access to mental health resources, integrating well-being into nursing culture, and advancing education and training in suicide prevention.
This work helped catalyze a broader national conversation.
Late Summer 2025, a simple but critical question emerged: “Why do other health professions have nationally recognized suicide awareness initiatives, while nurses do not?”. That question prompted renewed collaboration among nursing leaders, advocates, and individuals with lived experience across the United States.
Fall 2025, a grassroots effort began to take shape. Following a presentation on nurse suicide in Wisconsin, September 17, 2025, was informally recognized as Nurse Suicide Awareness Day. The response from nurses and leaders across the state was immediate and clear: this work needed to expand.
In 2026, that momentum translated into formal policy action. With support from the Wisconsin Nurses Association and engagement with national nursing leadership, Governor Tony Evers signed a proclamation declaring May 2026 as Nurse Suicide Awareness, Intervention, and Postvention Month in Wisconsin. This marked a critical step toward establishing a coordinated, statewide approach to addressing nurse suicide and supporting the mental health of the nursing workforce.
This initiative will continue to grow beyond any single state.
Nurse suicide is a persistent and underrecognized public health crisis. Even prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, nurses experienced higher rates of depression, job-related stress, and suicide compared to the general population. Female nurses, who comprise the majority of the workforce, face disproportionately elevated risk. Despite these realities, nurses have historically lacked a unified, national awareness initiative dedicated to suicide prevention, intervention, and postvention.
Nurse Suicide Awareness, Intervention, and Postvention is a nurse-informed, lived experience–driven movement focused on three priorities:
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![Presentation slide for the 5th Zero Suicide International Summit, taking place from June 23rd to 25th, 2024 in Liverpool, UK. The slide displays the name of speaker Christopher Wojnjar, MSN, RN (USA), Critical Care Nurse at Aurora Health Care, with a partial image of a historic building with clocks on the right side.]()
Awareness
Bringing visibility to the scope and impact of nurse suicide
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![A clipboard with a mental health plan titled 'Nurse Suicide Awareness' and 'Clinician Personal Safety & Wellness Plan' on a wooden desk. Surrounding items include a stethoscope, a pen, a yellow sticky note that says 'You matter. Help is available.', and a plant in a white pot.]()
Intervention
Promoting evidence-informed strategies to identify risk and respond effectively
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![Brochure titled 'National Nurse Suicide Awareness,' focusing on postvention strategies after a suicide in the workplace.]()
Postvention
Supporting individuals, teams, and organizations after a suicide loss
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