Youth suicide rates for ideation, attempt, and completion are on the rise. Statistics show that suicide is the second most frequent cause of death among teens with accidents as the first. The coronavirus pandemic has further contributed to the already rising suicide rate. Preventative measures include school education programs, crisis center hotlines, and media guidelines. At times, just a gentle ear to hear and a calm approach can mean more than we think.

This was the case one afternoon, in which Adam Smith stepped in with extraordinary, compassionate care. Adam had been working his normal PM shift.  Adam happened to be in the men’s locker room when he noticed a patient on the roof outside the men’s locker room. He proceeded to open the window and remove the screen while talking to the patient who he soon discovered was from the pediatric floor.  Adam spoke to the patient in a calm and reassuring manner to coax the patient to come to the window. Security was alerted and the patient was rescued. Adam is one of the Operating Room's recent graduating OR  nurse interns. We are very grateful and happy to have had Adam join our OR family.