Light The Way
Share Your Gratitude, Light the Way 💙
In a world full of stress, share the light.
This year we want to be part of those who are sharing light with others. When things are heavy, recognizing those who are helping and healing us is even more important. Take a moment to think about the people who have cared for you in your time of need. It might be a nurse who comforted you during a difficult moment, a doctor who went above and beyond, or a healthcare worker who showed compassion when it mattered most. These heroes dedicate their lives to caring for others, often while facing immense challenges of their own.
I remember after John died, Emma Payne messaged me support and thoughts. She was one of the people who were a light during difficult times. People asked for what they could do, and I had no idea. Support after suicide loss can be overwhelming, for individuals and for healthcare organizations who lose someone. Emma’s work evolved into Help Texts. You can customize support and texts for others, letting them know how they can help you. They even launched an option to learn about healthcare workers. I wish I had known what to ask for those years ago, and I am grateful for the people who showed up and for those who shared their story. There will be someone, somewhere, who needs your story.
We trust physicians and healthcare workers when we are sick. We can support them and share the light.
At Sharp Index, we’ve been able to support individuals and organizations during crisis, after loss, and when they had questions about mental health. Proactive communication from leaders and colleagues matter. Offering support to coworkers and creating a legacy strengthens loss survivors.
In times of loss, the worst response is no response.
We’ve supported organizations who want to make sure they have a positive approach during loss. When loss is traumatic, thoughtful responses are critical to support those who are grieving. The way we communicate (or don't communicate by sweeping loss under the rug and "carrying on" as usual) has a profound impact. Most healthcare workers have lost a friend or colleague, and continue to care for us while carrying their own grief. For the next month, we invite you to join Sharp Index in the Light the Way Challenge to honor these incredible individuals. By sharing your gratitude and dedicating a virtual light, you can celebrate those who’ve made a difference in your life while supporting mental health in medicine. Together, we can shine a light on hope, resilience, and the people who care for us.
Want to get involved?
Start a fundraiser walk in your neighborhood or at your organization. You can join as a team or individual and do something good for your help, and good for mental health education and support in medicine.
Join us on December 12 at 12:00 PM ET for a special meeting sharing people that have inspired us, and those who support healthcare healers.
Share your story about a physician or healthcare worker who made a difference for you, and we will light a candle with our digital tribute mosaic.
Share this fundraiser with your corporation or network and spread gratitude, light, and support. You can share on social media to help break down stigma and support research for life saving resources and programs.
Join us as a 2025 Volunteer: We hope you can be involved with us next year! Learn more about our volunteer committees.
Here’s How Your Contribution Makes a Difference:
$25: Funds a light in our digital tribute mosaic, symbolizing hope and gratitude for a healthcare hero.
$100: Supports mental health education workshops for healthcare teams, equipping them with tools to manage stress and burnout.
$500: Provides access to mental health resources and peer support networks for physicians in need.
$1,000: Contributes to scholarships for medical students focused on mental health advocacy and innovation.
Every dollar raised brings us closer to a healthcare system where mental health is prioritized, stigma is broken, and every healthcare worker feels valued and supported. Many physicians avoid seeking care for their mental health, and education about mental health is lacking.
Mental Health Challenges:
Burnout: In 2022, 45.6% of health workers reported feeling burnout often or very often, an increase from 31.9% in 2018.
Stigma: Around 50% of physicians believe seeking mental health treatment could negatively impact their medical licensure or career.
Anxiety and Depression: During the COVID-19 pandemic, 69% of healthcare workers experienced high levels of burnout, and 49% reported symptoms of depression.
Suicide Rates: In 2023, the annual suicide rate per 100,000 person-years was 21.4 for health care support workers, 16 for registered nurses, 15.6 for health technicians, and 13.1 for physicians, compared to 12.6 for non-health care professionals.
Dedicate your light today and help us create a brighter future for healthcare heroes. 💡 #LightTheWaySharpIndex #HealthcareHealers #MentalHealthMatters #LightTheWay
Share the Light
Share your story of lighting the way on social media using this image!
