Globally, one person commits suicide every 73 seconds. By the time you finish reading this article, two people will have taken their own lives.
In 2020, the UK registered 4912 suicides and many unrecorded attempted suicides. Men made up 15.3/100,000 of the population, whilst women recorded 4.9/100,000. Men form 77% of the total suicides in the UK. Men between 45 and 49 made up the biggest single category, registering 23.3 per 100,000. The Northeast of England had the highest suicide rate in the UK. The most concerning fact is that suicide was the second leading cause of death for people aged 10–14 and 25–34 years. Worldwide, it is estimated that there are approximately 703,000 suicides annually. Stark figures, indeed. These ominous readings get worse when you consider the impact on the victim’s families. Suicide is a real issue that needs attention.
Suicide is a deliberate act to cause self-harm with the intention of killing oneself. It can be prevented by positive actions.
All employers have a duty to safeguard the health and safety of their employees. Considerable attention is given to the working environment, the method of working, the safety of machinery and tools, etc. Unfortunately, mental health and awareness are often overlooked. This is partly because employers are not necessarily aware of mental health issues and so cannot identify them, but also because employees often feel reluctant to talk about mental health issues. It is a fact that mental health is seen as a taboo subject, especially in a male-dominated environment where the "macho" image is important.
What are the reasons people commit suicide?
Empirical evidence suggests that that there are many reasons why people commit suicide:
- Financial problems
- Grief
- Social isolation.
- Low self-esteem, feeling of worthlessness
How can employers identify warning signs of employee's mental health issues?
Keep your ears and eyes open. Without intruding upon staff privacy, employers and employees can notice tell-tell signs. Suicidal thoughts, sudden and drastic changes in mood or behavior, becoming withdrawn and isolated, becoming anxious and irritable, feeling hopeless and worthless, being a burden, and increased consumption of alcohol and drugs are all examples.
Employers should develop, foster, and implement an open culture that encourages staff to come forward to talk openly and in confidence. It is important to listen to understand rather than listening to respond. Reassure them that they are not alone, that you want to help, and that most problems can be overcome by seeking specialist help. Developing a Mental Health Policy, holding regular welfare meetings and directing them to local and external sources of help such as GP practices, mental health charitable organisations such as The Samaritans, MIND, and details of in-house EAP/counselling services. It is also important to have mental health first aid.
Sources of Help for Suicide Prevention
NHS – 111
Samaritans – 116 123
MIND – 0300 1233393
Alternatively, we can support your employees through Employee Assistance Program (EAP), to discuss further on the scheme give us a call on 01455 852 028.
