‘There is no help’: US nurses’ suicide rate rising amid staff shortage and stress

After Tristin Kate Smith died by suicide, her letter detailing her work struggles went viral, highlighting a broader crisis

All Tristin Kate Smith ever wanted to do was help people. As a high school student, she enrolled in a neighboring school district in order to help older adults in nursing homes.

But bit by bit, life as an emergency nurse for the 28-year-old Ohio native deteriorated.

In the US, you can call or text the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline on 988, chat on 988lifeline.org, or text HOME to 741741 to connect with a crisis counselor. In the UK and Ireland, Samaritans can be contacted on freephone 116 123, or email jo@samaritans.org or jo@samaritans.ie. In Australia, the crisis support service Lifeline is 13 11 14. Other international helplines can be found at befrienders.org.