September is National Suicide Prevention Awareness Month. This month is dedicated to remembering the lives lost to suicide and acknowledging the countless individuals, families and communities impacted by suicide. As HR consultants, we feel compelled to discuss this difficult topic to raise awareness in organizations, even though we are not experts on the subject.
This topic can be sensitive and may contain information that could be triggering for some readers. If you or someone you know is struggling, please know that you are not alone and help is available. We encourage you to prioritize your well-being as you engage with this content.
Did you know…?
Suicide is the
- 2nd leading cause of death among people aged 10-14
- 3rd leading cause of death among those aged 15-24
- 12th leading cause of death overall in the U.S
These alarming statistics highlight the need for better education on suicide prevention. We also believe it’s high time to acknowledge mental health struggles that we or others in our organizations may face, and explore ways to prioritize mental well-being.
Support is Available
988
If you remember nothing else from this article, remember this number: 988.
The 988 Lifeline, originally called the National Suicide Prevention Hotline, was launched on January 1, 2005, with funding from the U.S. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). Initially, it was a toll-free 10-digit phone number: 1-800-273-8255. It wasn’t until July 16, 2022, that 988 was introduced.
By calling, texting, or chatting 988, individuals facing a suicidal crisis or mental health distress can access 24/7 confidential support. 988 connects to a national network of over 200 crisis centers, with resources also available for Spanish speakers and the deaf community. While 911 is commonly known for emergencies, 988 is still relatively new and less familiar. Please help spread the word about this free resource for those needing mental health or substance use support.
Risk Factors and Warning Signs
We must educate ourselves about the risk factors and warning signs of suicide, and what we can do if we find ourselves needing to provide support to someone in crisis.
Risk factors may include:
- substance abuse
- family history of suicide
- serious medical condition
- age
- gender – more women than men attempt suicide, but men are 4xmore likely to die by suicide
- recent loss or tragedy
Warning signs may include, but are not limited to:
- increased alcohol and drug use
- sleeping too much or too little
- withdrawing or feeling isolated
- displaying extreme mood swings
- talking about being a burden to others
“Be the lifeline”
If you’re supporting someone in crisis, be open and honest in your conversations. According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness, calmly ask simple and direct questions like: “Do you have a plan for how you would kill yourself?” Show your support and concern without debating the situation, and if possible, remove access to weapons, pills, or other harmful items. Call 988 to connect with trained professionals who can assist you and the individual in crisis. Remember, you don’t need to have all the answers; just being present, listening, and helping the person seek help is what matters.
When you don’t have the strength to take another step, ask those you love to pull you.” -unknown
Discussions in the Workplace
With our midwestern mentality of “rub a little dirt on it and you’ll be fine” and a tendency to struggle with expressing our emotions, discussing suicide and mental health can be challenging. We might even question whether the workplace is the right setting for these conversations. However, it’s crucial that we address these topics. The more we can talk about it, the more we can normalize these discussions, making them easier in the future. To help you in this effort, we’ve rounded up several resources to add to your toolkit.
Workplace Mental Health & Well-Being Framework
In 2022, the US Surgeon General released a framework for Workplace Mental Health & Well-Being. This report outlines five key essentials that create a strong foundation for organizations of all sizes and sectors: Protection from Harm, Connection & Community, Work-Life Harmony, Mattering at Work, and Opportunity for Growth. Protection from Harm related to Maslow’s hierarchy of needs, focusing on Safety & Security. This means prioritizing both physical and psychological safety in the workplace by implementing policies that reduce the risk of injury; ensuring employees feel safe from violence, discrimination, harassment and bullying; promoting adequate rest; and, supporting mental health. For more valuable insights on these essentials, be sure to check out the report yourself.
What Can YOU Do? PSA
The “What Can YOU Do?” campaign from the Office of Disability Employment at the US Department of Labor highlights that one in five American adults faces a mental health condition each year, with most being of working age. The 4 A’s framework promotes Awareness, Accommodations, Assistance, and Access. From CEOs and company leaders down to coworkers, everyone can do something to make a difference.
Blog Articles
In our previous article on Protecting your Mental Health during the COVID-19 crisis, we discussed several strategies that employers could implement, such as encouraging mindfulness among employees, fostering open communication and collaboration, using humor to relieve stress, and offering an Employee Assistance Program. Remind employees of tactics to help beat stress during particularly busy seasons. Supporting employee mental health is vital for creating a positive work environment and boosting productivity. If you’re facing mental health challenges, don’t be afraid to ask for help.
And always, always, always remember this:
If you need additional guidance on supporting employee mental health, or would like us to create a customized HR training or seminar on the topic for your team, please reach out. We’re always happy to help!