Workplace Suicide Awareness and Prevention

According to the Canadian Association for Suicide Prevention, Canadians spend upwards of 60% of their waking hours at work. Given that over half of our time is spent with our colleagues and/or employees, it is crucial to incorporate some level of awareness and preventative measures at the workplace in order to prevent suicide. Just as learning for children does not end when school gets out, mental health education should not only happen in the privacy of our homes. Workplaces have a responsibility to strive for the well-being of their employees and have direct impacts on suicide education and prevention.

Given the shifts in the workplace environment since the onset of COVID-19, we have less opportunity to see our colleagues in person. As such, checking in with each other is often forgotten. Social connection is shown to lower anxiety, depression, and regulate emotions. Maintaining connections among our colleagues, even in a virtual environment, is beneficial for our health and is a crucial step in preventing suicide.

May this article provide you with resources and information to address suicide in your workplace, amongst your colleagues/employees and at home.

Preventing Suicide in the Workplace

1. Understand the Signs

Checking in on your employees and/or colleagues regularly is of the utmost importance. Given that many organizations are incorporating work-from-home practices, feelings of isolation are on the rise and more difficult to notice. Regular check-ins and scheduling time for “water-cooler” chats in a virtual environment will not only increase productivity but maintain closeness amongst colleagues.

Signs of depression, anxiety and potentially suicidal ideation can include:

• Sudden personality changes;
• Poor job performance and difficulty completing tasks that were once easy for them;
• Isolation from others;
• Expressing feelings of depression and burnout;
• Constant absenteeism in workplace activities they once enjoyed;
• Lack of interest in much of anything;
• Substance and/or alcohol abuse.

It is also important to pay close attention to the language used by your employees or colleagues. If you notice someone constantly expressing desires to end their life, even in jest, this may be a sign of a deeper issue.

2. Provide Training and Resources

If you’re an employer, there are several important things to consider implementing in your workplace and team to aid in the prevention of suicide and self-harm.

• Ensure that your HR personnel are well educated on suicide and mental health struggles in the workplace
• Include paid mental health days in your package, or make it clear that sick days can be used for mental health struggles
• Provide resources and access to mental health services and choose a healthcare plan that includes these services for your employees
• Foster a workplace culture of open dialogue. Make this a workplace policy.
• Bring in mental health professionals for regular talks and information sessions on self-care, mental health, and suicide prevention
• Ensure that your employees know the signs and that a protocol is in place should a teammate be suffering

Finally, checking in on regular basis with your employees can make all the difference. Make sincere efforts to reduce unnecessary workplace stressors and avoid burnout.

3. Open Communication and Genuine Care

Mental health struggles, and in particular suicide or suicidal ideation, can be difficult subjects to think about, let alone to discuss with your colleagues or employees. Support from those we have relationships with, including those at work, is crucial. Arrange teambuilding activities, check-ins, and foster a workplace built on open communication.

Oftentimes, showing you genuinely care about their well-being can make a difference in one’s mental health and overall outlook on life. Human connection is a basic need, and though we are connected virtually, we are living in an age of true disconnection. Ask openly if they feel overwhelmed with their work assignments. If you know they are struggling at home with a personal affair, give leniency and flexibility. Express empathy and listen without judgement when an employee or colleague opens up about their struggles.

If you notice a teammate is struggling, do not look the other way. Address your concerns head-on, but in a sensitive manner. In some cases, asking directly if they have or ever have thought about suicide is necessary. Be ready to direct them to the appropriate resources.

4. Self-Care and Wellness

Finally, taking care of ourselves and helping others to do the same is important in suicide prevention. Physical health and nutrition play active roles in our mental well-being. Maintaining a diet rich in vitamins and taking regular work breaks to move your body will have noticeable impacts.

Take steps to process any emotional pain or trauma you may be experiencing. Everyone can benefit from a counselling or therapy session. Check in with yourself just as regularly as you would your family and colleagues. Keep tabs on your own levels of stress and anxiety.

Remember to look for meaning in your life. Expanding meaning can be as simple as joining a class after work to learn a new hobby or volunteering a few times a month to help others.

Suicide prevention should not be a daunting topic. We should not avoid having these discussions within the workplace and at home.

Help is available

• Trans Lifeline: 1-877-330-6366
• Hope for Wellness Help Line: 1-855-242-3310
  • Online chat: hopeforwellness.ca
• Canada Suicide Prevention Service: 1-833-456-4566 [24/7]
• For Quebec residents: [24/7] 1-866-APPELLE

 

Samantha Dean

Consultant, Talent Management at EPSI