September is Suicide Awareness Month and National Recovery Month.
These observances remind us of the urgent need to talk openly about suicide, recovery, and mental health. This month's posts, I’ll explore two often-overlooked perspectives: the incarcerated population and the correctional staff who work with them.
Why Talking About Suicide Matters
Suicide is still treated as a taboo subject—something whispered about instead of spoken aloud. Yet its impact is devastating, far-reaching, and leaves behind countless unanswered questions.
As a clinician, I’ve seen suicide from multiple angles: supporting clients, comforting grieving friends, and mourning a relative lost to suicide. In every case, one feeling stands out: confusion. Suicide is a stark reminder of the silent pain so many endure.
We also see this silence in public life. Influencers, celebrities, and community leaders may seem to thrive, only for hidden struggles to emerge after their deaths. Mental health is not just a trend—it is a reality that affects individuals, families, and communities.
What Is Burnout? A Simple Definition
Burnout is more than feeling tired. According to Merriam-Webster, it is “the exhaustion of physical or emotional strength or motivation, usually as a result of prolonged stress or frustration.” Psychology Today expands this definition, describing burnout as “a state of emotional, mental, and often physical exhaustion brought on by prolonged or repeated stress” (Psychology Today, 2022).
Burnout doesn’t only happen at work—it can also occur in caregiving, parenting, or relationships. While it doesn’t directly cause suicide, burnout increases the risk of suicidal thoughts and behaviors. Recognizing it early is a critical step in prevention.
Burnout in Corrections: Why It’s a Serious Issue
Burnout exists in every profession, but within corrections the stakes are much higher. Correctional officers and staff are responsible for safety, security, and rehabilitation inside facilities. When burnout sets in, consequences ripple outward.
Common effects of burnout in corrections include:
- Complacency in daily duties
- Staff conflict and low morale
- Frequent call-offs and absenteeism
- Understaffing that increases safety risks
Correctional institutions are not isolated—they exist within our communities. When burnout contributes to staffing shortages or security breakdowns, the results can be serious—even fatal.
Low pay, long hours, traumatic incidents, and difficult working conditions add to the strain, making burnout both common and dangerous for correctional staff.
Suicide Risk Among Correctional Officers and Staff
Research confirms what many in the field already know: correctional staff are at higher risk of suicide than other public safety workers.
A Canadian study found correctional workers reported higher rates of mental health disorders and suicidal ideation than the general public (Carleton et al., 2018).
An international review reported that 47% of public safety personnel experienced suicidal ideation at some point, with suicide attempt rates ranging from 0.7% to 55%. U.S. data show correctional staff die by suicide at nearly double the rate of police officers (CDC, National Occupational Mortality Surveillance).
Risk factors for correctional staff suicide include:
- Reduced fear of death
- Weak or strained social support networks
- Irregular sleep schedules
- Familiarity with and access to lethal means
- Histories of adverse childhood experiences
Warning Signs of Burnout in Correctional Staff
Burnout doesn’t happen overnight. Spotting early signs can prevent it from developing into more severe mental health challenges. Watch for:
- Persistent exhaustion, even after rest
- Dreading tasks once enjoyed
- Feeling emotionally numb or detached
- Trouble focusing or frequent mistakes
- Heightened irritability, anxiety, or overwhelm
- Physical symptoms (e.g., headaches, digestive issues, muscle tension)
Mental Health America offers tools to help distinguish between burnout and conditions like depression or anxiety. The difference:
Burnout is usually tied to specific roles or responsibilities and may improve with lifestyle or workplace changes.
Depression and other mental health disorders extend across all areas of life and often require clinical treatment.
You can also use tools like the Burnout Assessment Form to self-assess and determine next steps.
Preventing Burnout and Supporting Recovery
Burnout is common across all professions, but in corrections it carries especially high risks. For correctional institutions, addressing burnout is both a safety issue and an employee wellness issue.
Here are some steps to move forward:
For institutions: invest in wellness programs, peer support initiatives, and fair staffing practices.
For individuals: acknowledge the signs of burnout, prioritize rest, and seek out support when needed.
For colleagues: check in on one another and encourage open conversations about stress and mental health.
If you or someone you know is experiencing suicidal thoughts, please reach out for help. In the U.S., call or text 988 to connect with the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. Support is confidential and available 24/7.
You are not alone.
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