Suicide prevention training in the workplace is important for several key reasons, as it helps create a supportive and safe environment for employees while addressing mental health concerns.
Here are the main reasons why such training is necessary:
Early Identification of Warning Signs: Employees trained to recognise the warning signs of suicide risk can identify subtle changes in their colleagues’ behaviour. These signs might include increased absenteeism, a decline in work performance, social withdrawal, or expressions of hopelessness and despair. Early detection allows for timely intervention, which can prevent the situation from escalating to a crisis point.
Reducing Stigma Around Mental Health: Suicide prevention training helps reduce the stigma associated with mental health issues. It encourages open discussions about mental wellbeing, making employees feel safer to seek help and talk about their struggles without fear of judgment.
Creating a Supportive Work Culture: Training creates a supportive and compassionate workplace culture where employees feel they can reach out for help if they are struggling with mental health challenges. This is especially important in high-stress or demanding environments, where workers may be more prone to burnout and mental health issues.
Preventing Tragedies: Suicide prevention training can equip employees and managers with the skills and confidence needed to intervene appropriately and offer support to someone at risk. Preventing suicide not only saves lives but also helps avoid the emotional and professional fallout that can affect both the individual and their colleagues.
Promoting Employee Wellbeing: A healthy and safe work environment prioritises the mental wellbeing of employees. When employees feel that their employer cares about their mental health, they are more likely to remain engaged, productive, and committed to the company.
Legal and Ethical Responsibility: Employers have a duty of care for their employees. Providing suicide prevention and mental health resources is an ethical responsibility and can protect employers from potential legal consequences in case a suicide or mental health crisis occurs in the workplace.
Supporting Crisis Management: In cases where a suicide or mental health crisis does occur, training can help employees and managers know how to respond appropriately, whether by seeking professional help, offering immediate support, or managing the situation with sensitivity and care.
Fostering Employee Retention and Satisfaction: When employees feel supported, they are more likely to remain with an organisation. Mental health initiatives like suicide prevention training are seen as a sign that the employer values its workforce, leading to improved morale, retention, and job satisfaction.
Overall, suicide prevention training is not just about saving lives; it is also about creating a work environment that values the mental health of its employees, which can lead to greater overall productivity and wellbeing.
Ready to Prioritise Your Team’s Wellbeing?
Working in collaboration with a health and wellbeing training provider, Hands On At Work offers the following;
Suicide Awareness Webinar for 1 hour where the outcomes are
• Suicide – the latest facts and figures
• Why do we need to talk about suicide in the workplace?
• How can we make a difference, as individuals, workplaces, managers, and friends?
• How can we recognise the signs
• Suicide does not discriminate
• Workplace training
• Signposting and support
Training
Suicide First Aid Training
Empowering employees to recognise signs of crisis and offer immediate, practical support.
It suits People Managers, HR, and Wellbeing teams and complements skills gained in Mental Health First Aid.
The course aims to enhance workplace safety and contribute to a supportive environment. We offer flexible training options with open courses for a few delegates and group bookings for 8 or more.
Course Options
Half Day Lite
Duration: 4 hours
Format: Online or In-Person
Capacity: 8- 20 delegates per group session
One Day First Aid
Duration: Full day
Format: Online or In-Person
Capacity: 8- 16 delegates per group session
Contact us for more information or to book the webinar or training course as part of your 2025 wellbeing strategy.
Telephone Kathy Scott on 07989 367669
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.handsonatwork.co.uk
