Suicide Prevention In The Workplace
“We don’t need that kind of training or support in our organisation!”
I am sorry to jump on my soap box here but YES YOU DO….
Do you employ human beings?
If the answer is yes then in fact you DO need this training as poor mental health, mental illness and suicide DO NOT DISCRIMINATE, It can happen to anyone at any time.
The latest figures on suicide rates from 2023 in the UK shows that 7055 people died by suicide. That equates to more than 19 people per day in the UK who feel they have no option but to end their life. It is estimated that anywhere between 40 and 100 times that number have attempted suicide and survived that attempt. There is a high probability that the person who has attempted suicide and lived now lives with harm, weather that be physical, mental or both.
Today, on World Suicide Prevention Day 2025, it’s vital that we reflect on the critical role workplaces play in safeguarding the mental health and wellbeing of their employees. Suicide prevention is not just a social responsibility, it is also a legal and ethical imperative for every organisation.
The Legal Duty: Health and Safety at Work
Under UK law, notably guided by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), employers are obligated to protect the welfare of their staff, not only physically, but mentally too. This means having robust policies, risk assessments, and intervention plans in place to manage mental health including supporting a mental health crisis, which should include suicidal ideation and behaviours. Failure to do so puts employees and your business at risk.
Clear Policies and Crisis Protocols
Workplace policies should explicitly address mental health and suicide prevention. This includes clear guidelines on recognising signs of distress, escalation procedures, and how to provide immediate support or referrals to professional help. Policies should be living documents, regularly reviewed and communicated, so all team members know what to do in times of crisis.
Training and Education: Normalising Conversations
Suicide prevention begins with education. Training staff and managers not only equips them with the skills to identify warning signs but also helps reduce stigma by normalising open discussions around mental health. When employees feel safe discussing their struggles, they’re more likely to seek help early, preventing crises from escalating.
Effective training programmes should cover:
How to have compassionate, non-judgemental conversations
Recognising behavioural and emotional red flags
Understanding confidentiality and boundaries
Knowing how to access internal and external support resources
How to create suicide safety plans
Creating a Culture of Care
Beyond policies and training, fostering a workplace culture that prioritises psychological safety is key. Leaders must lead by example, encouraging openness and showing empathy. When mental health is treated with the same seriousness as physical health, employees can thrive rather than just survive.
A Call to Action
On this World Suicide Prevention Day, I urge all organisations to take a hard look at their mental health support systems and ask:
Do you have a clear, actionable suicide prevention policy?
Are your staff and managers regularly trained to respond expertly and empathetically?
Have you communicated these expectations effectively throughout your organisation?
Every life matters, and workplaces are uniquely positioned to be safe spaces where mental health is prioritised, supported, and protected.
Let’s commit to making mental health safety a fundamental part of our health and safety culture.
If you want to discuss your organisations infrastructure we are always here to help