Promoting Suicide Awareness and Prevention in the Workplace
Blue Daily
| 3 min read
Recent high-profile deaths by suicide have thrust the issue of suicide awareness into the national spotlight. But it’s not just celebrities who are at risk. People from all walks of life may be having suicidal thoughts and not know where to turn for help.
September is National Suicide Prevention Awareness Month — a time to ramp up awareness about this difficult topic and connect individuals with the resources they need. The National Institute of Mental Health reports suicide deaths have increased by 35% in nearly every state over the past two decades — and across all ages, races, genders and ethnicities.
Recognize warning signs of suicide
Families, communities and workplaces can all play a role in reversing this dangerous trend. A good place to start is by recognizing the warning signs of someone who is suicidal. Being able to recognize and respond to indications that someone is thinking of suicide may help to avert a death.
Warning signs of suicide include:
- Talking about feeling hopeless or having no reason to live
- Talking about feeling trapped or in unbearable pain
- Talking about being a burden to others
- Increasing their use of alcohol or drugs
- Acting anxious or agitated; behaving recklessly
- Sleeping too little or too much
- Withdrawing or feeling isolated
- Showing rage or talking about seeking revenge
- Displaying extreme mood swings
Anyone can help someone at risk. Begin a conversation, listen with compassion and help connect them to resources. You can direct them to one of the following numbers:
- National Prevention Suicide Lifeline: 1-800-273-TALK (8255)
- National Hopeline Network: 1-800-784-2433
What else can businesses do?
- Educate employees about common mental illnesses and suicide prevention. One good resource is Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan Crisis Care Support. You can find resources about behavioral health and locate help near you.
- Create a culture where it’s OK to talk about mental illness and suicidal thoughts. The stigma against mental illness is one of the main reasons people don’t get the help they need. Here are some tips for ending stigma at work.
- Consider implementing an employee assistance program if you don’t already have one. These kinds of programs offer immediate, confidential support to employees.
According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness, or NAMI, approximately more than one in five adults in the U.S. — 61.5 million, or 23% — experiences mental illness in a given year. And 90% of people who die by suicide have an underlying mental health issue. NAMI offers resources and events to shed light on the issue of mental health stigma.
WebMD, in an article titled “Recognizing Suicidal Behavior,” points out that while suicide is not a mental illness in itself, it’s a serious potential consequence of treatable mental disorders. These disorders include major depression, bipolar disorder, borderline personality disorder, schizophrenia, substance use disorders and anxiety disorders. When we work to eliminate the stigma associated with mental illness and educate employees about how mental illness works, they become more accepting of help in a time of need. The help they receive could save lives and stem the tide of rising suicide rates.
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