Researchers receive $1.5 million nurse suicide prevention grant

The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention awarded a three-year, $1.5 million nurse suicide prevention grant to nurse researchers at University of California San Diego, Ohio State University and the American Nurses Association. The study will evaluate an AFSP interactive, anonymous suicide-screening program, along with a cognitive behavioral skills-building program shown to reduce clinicians’ emotional distress. This intervention, if effective, could be used to reduce depression and suicide risk throughout the nursing profession and serve as a model for other health care professions. AONL member Bernadette Melnyk, PhD, APRN, vice president for health promotion, university chief wellness officer and dean of the College of Nursing at Ohio State, and Judy Davidson, DNP, RN, nurse scientist at University of California, San Diego, will lead the project.