Ep. 131: PTSD and Suicide Prevention for CRNAs and SRNAs

Mental health has been a quiet killer in this country for many years but more and more people are shining the light on these heartbreaking issues.

Two of those people in our profession are Jerry Hogan, DNSc, CRNA and Chuck Griffis, PhD, CRNA. Not only are they incredible people, but they’ve poured a lot of time and effort into improving the mental health of CRNAs and SRNAs. As front line works, nurse anesthetists are always under the added pressure of their profession and that’s why PTSD and suicide has been too prevalent.

The good news is these things can be preventable. We’ve asked both our guests today to address this incredibly important topic that hits close to home for many of us. We’ll talk openly and honestly about the issues that exist and the ways that we can all help improve mental health in our own lives and the lives of our friends and co-workers.

So as you get started on the episode, keep an ear out for these topics:

• How his military experience and seeing PTSD first-hand pushed Dr. Hogan to focus on this issue.

• There’s an epidemic of suicide right now

• The reasons why CRNAs deal with even more stress than other professions.

• Why does PTSD go undiagnosed.

• Examples of ways that PTSD begins for CRNAs and SRNAs

• Overcoming the stigmas that are associated with mental health.

• A significant number of people are dealing with PTSD.

• Why suicides aren’t uncommon among CRNAs and the reasons people get to that point.

• How to help someone that you think might be contemplating suicide.

• The resources that the AANA offers in this area.

• How do you know if you are dealing with PTSD?

• What ways we can improve education on this matter.

Check it out the interview at the top of the page and use the timestamps to help you navigate through the many topics we discussed.

[4:31] – Background on Jerry

[8:40] – Background on Chuck

[13:15] – Why this topic is so important right now  

[16:19] – How PTSD goes undiagnosed

[21:48] – Examples of PTSD in CRNAs

[25:54] – The amount of people affected by this  

[29:26] – CRNAs prone to suicide  

[34:35] – If you know someone that might be facing this   

[41:08] – Statistics

[42:43] – Resources the AANA offers

[50:25] – How do you know if you have PTSD?  

[56:27] – Improving education

[59:53] – Study Griffis is doing

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