Filling Fenway with Hope: Board Member Addresses Suicide in Medical Field and Hispanic Community

Dr. Ruben Azocar serves as Vice Chair of the Samaritans Board of Directors, driven by his personal connection to suicide prevention after losing his brother Ricardo to suicide in 1997. Each year, he participates in the Samaritans 5K Run/Walk for Suicide Prevention to honor Ricardo’s memory and support the organization’s mission—to prevent suicide and provide hope and support to those affected. Professionally, Ruben is a physician specializing in anesthesiology and critical care and currently serves as Vice President for Perioperative Services at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center.

A Personal Connection

Every 11 minutes, someone in the United States dies by suicide. That’s more than 50,000 people annually—more than the number of seats in Fenway Park. Suicide is the 11th leading cause of death in America, with roughly half of us being touched by suicide in our lifetime. Dr. Ruben Azocar has been impacted by suicide twice in his life.

In 1997, Ruben was a fellow in critical care when he got the news: His younger brother Ricardo, who had just turned 18 a few days ago, had died by suicide.

Young Latinos like Ricardo face a particularly heightened risk. Suicide is the second leading cause of death for Hispanics between the ages of 15-35. For Ruben, who grew up with Ricardo in Caracas, Venezuela, this statistic is painfully personal.

Twenty years later, Ruben faced another tragedy when his colleague in the hospital died by suicide. This reflects another alarming statistic: 300-400 physicians die by suicide annually. That is the equivalent of two medical school classes.

Ruben honors these legacies through his work with Samaritans—raising hope that we can create a world without suicide. He highlights three crucial aspects of awareness and prevention, which he calls the 3 S’s:

Know the Signs

Someone experiencing suicidal ideation may make verbal statements, such as “Nobody will miss me if I’m gone” or “I don’t care about what is going to happen next year.” If someone you care about says something concerning, ask directly: “Are you thinking about suicide?”

There is a misconception that talking about suicide might plant the idea in someone’s mind. The opposite is true. By using the word “suicide” and putting the conversation on the table, you can s how a struggling person that you are safe to open up to.

Watch for physical changes in appearance, weight, or grooming habits. While depression is often associated with suicide risk, euphoria can sometimes indicate danger too. Also note engagement in high-risk activities, like suddenly purchasing firearms.

Those with family history of suicide, mental health issues, substance use , or experiencing trauma face higher risk. Certain groups—physicians, youth, veterinarians, construction workers, and the elderly—are especially vulnerable.

Break the Stigma

This aspect is deeply personal to Ruben. After traveling back to Caracas for his brother’s funeral, Ruben’s father met him with these words: “This was a car accident. Do not mention suicide.”

The stigma around suicide has many roots. For the Azocar family, one factor was their Catholic faith. In Catholicism, as in many religions and cultures, suicide has historically been considered a sin.
Breaking this stigma can start with simple changes in language. Use phrases such as “died by suicide” rather than “committed suicide” to move away from framing suicide as a sin or a crime.

Get Support

A suicidal person needs a lot of support – more than any one person can give. Getting help for someone who is feeling suicidal can save their life. Call or text 988, or chat online at chat.988lifeline.org to get support for a friend, loved one, or yourself.

Remember, no one needs to struggle alone. In addition to providing free, anonymous, and nonjudgmental support, Samaritans also provides support for those left behind—who are at a higher risk of suicide themselves.