Reach out (please) – World Suicide Prevention Day

MHFA England revealed over 75% of employees do not believe suicide prevention is part of their organisation’s wellbeing strategy.

In recent years, mental health initiatives have become more common in the workplace, particularly with hybrid/remote working, where sometimes the only interactions employees may have with co-workers are via a screen.

However, research by Mental Health First Aid England, who offer expert guidance and training to support mental health, shows there is still a stigma surrounding mental health in the workplace. According to data, work issues could be the cause of 650 suicides in the UK each year, representing 10% of suicides.

Breaking the taboo

With over 1 in 20 people who make a suicide attempt at some point in their lives, MHFA found that many in the workforce lack the appropriate knowledge and tools to help someone who is struggling.

Among a survey of 2,000 people in work, about 1/3 of people (33%) believed that mentioning suicide could induce a thought in someone’s head. Only 13% of individuals know to ask a colleague if they are concerned about whether they have a plan to end their life with 40% unsure if directly asking someone was the right thing to do.

Caroline Nokes-Lawrence is Head of ICB People at Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent Integrated Care Board, her organisation worked with MHFA England to train employees in suicide first aid skills and awareness.

She expressed how it can be harder to reach out to co-workers in the new digital work landscape: “Following the pandemic, we were doing regular temperature checks with staff, asking them whether they felt supported and what they felt was missing. While there are huge advantages of flexible working, we were getting a lot of feedback around wellbeing. We noticed there was a gap. We were no longer having those ‘water cooler’ moments, where you would usually socialise and check in with each other.

“One of our Mental Health First Aiders raised suicide prevention training as something we could benefit from as an organisation. There is still stigma around suicide that prevents people from talking about the topic.”

Improving mental health conversations at work

The study found that less than 1 in 5 (19%) employees would talk about having suicidal thoughts and only a third (33%) would discuss mental health issues with their manager.

Troubling as evidence suggests that having an open conversation about suicide to someone who is struggling with those thoughts can save their life.

Mrs. Nokes-Lawrence added: “We would encourage all employers to consider how they can layer suicide prevention into their existing policies to help tackle the stigma and encourage lifesaving conversations.

“We decided to implement Suicide First Aid training to increase our employee’s confidence and skills in talking about suicide appropriately and sensitively in the workplace. The training has formed an important part of our wider approach to mental health and wellbeing, building upon the skills of our existing mental health first aiders and others.

“It sends a strong message to all our employees and peer organisations that they can speak confidently about mental health and suicide at work, and support is available.”

To find out more about how MHFA England’s training and consultancy can support your workplace with suicide prevention and to access a resource on how to support someone experiencing suicide thoughts or behaviour: https://mhfaengland.org/mhfa-centre/campaigns/world-suicide-prevention-day-2023/

If someone is at immediate risk of attempting suicide, dial 999. If someone is having thoughts of suicide encourage them to call Samaritans on 116 123.