Can we talk about suicide?
Can we talk about suicide?
Suicide continues to be the most common cause of death for men under 50 – and the cause of around 1 in every 100 deaths worldwide.
When the Mental Health Foundation talked to people in the UK about mental health and the pandemic, asking whether they had experienced thoughts or feelings about suicide within the previous two weeks, in April 2020 8% said they had. But by February 2021 this had climbed to 13%.
While there is more understanding of mental health in workplaces and in society as a whole, the shock-ing, devastating nature of suicide means there is still a stigma – making it much harder for HR, manag-ers and staff themselves to talk about.
Promoting hope
World Suicide Prevention Day (10 September 2021) has highlighted ways that everyone can provide support, founded on the importance of giving someone hope:
“You can help give someone hope by showing that you care. All of us can play a role, no matter how small. We may never know what we do that makes a difference. We all can reach in and ask some-body. You do not need to tell them what to do or have solutions, but simply making the time and space to listen to someone about their experiences of distress or suicidal thoughts can help.”
The Prevention Day organisers point to the need to ‘change the narrative’ on suicide through a situa-tion where more people feel able to ask for help and talk about the full extent of their negative thoughts and feelings. Most importantly, they say, there’s a need to share personal stories of emo-tional distress, suicidal thoughts or attempt, and their experiences of recovery in order to inspire hope.
Involving professionals
“While suicide remains a stigma, it’s so important that employees don’t feel they have to remain si-lent,” says EAPA UK chair Eugene Farrell. “Because they are ashamed about how they are feeling. Talking about stress is one thing, suicidal thoughts are
“That’s why early and immediate access to EAP counsellors is critical. An anonymous and confidential conversation makes it possible to admit the extent of negative feelings. A call with a professional can then also be the first step towards ensuring the right help is received at the right time, and be the basis for re-building a sense of normality and ways forward.”