Trigger warning: This article discusses suicide.
This week, rock star Jon Bon Jovi made headlines after he reportedly helped a woman in distress who was standing on the ledge of a bridge over the Cumberland River in Nashville, Tennessee. Along with others, Bon Jovi talked to the woman and helped her come back on to the bridge to safety.
While the story almost certainly would not have hit the headlines if Bon Jovi had not been involved, it was certainly timely, coming immediately after World Suicide Prevention Day on 10 September.
Of course, the person who was standing on the ledge of the bridge was unlikely to be thinking about exactly who was working to talk them out of ending their life. But the story does highlight the importance of words and actions in this type of situation. If you were faced with this scenario, would you know how to approach the person involved and what best to say to them?
According to research published by social enterprise MHFA England to coincide with World Suicide Prevention Day, just one in 10 of the 2,000 employees surveyed would follow correct advice and know that the best way to save the life of someone who is thinking about suicide is to ask them directly if they have a plan to end their life.
In addition, the research found that two-thirds (66%) of respondents use terms considered harmful, such as ‘committed suicide’, while nearly a quarter (23%) respond to colleagues who share suicidal thoughts with phrases such as ‘please don’t do anything stupid’. Such language can contribute to the taboo that exists around suicide, as well as undermining an individual’s experience.
According to MHFA England’s data, up to 10% of all suicides in the UK each year are work-related, so employers should ensure they have measures in place, not only to support individuals who are feeling suicidal, but also to guide managers and colleagues on how to support someone who is considering ending their own life.
While professional support may be crucial for someone considering suicide, managers and colleagues may be well placed to initially notice if someone has reached a point where they are having such thoughts. Providing training and resources to enable them to do so, therefore, may make all the difference to someone who is saved as a result.
Of course, suicide is something that no one ever actively wishes to face, either by reaching a point where it appears to be the best option or as a friend, relative or colleague of someone who wishes to end their own life. With more than 5,500 suicides occurring in 2023, a year-on-year rise, these are not isolated incidents. Yet stigma and taboos continue to exist around suicide. In order to overcome these, creating an honest, open environment in which individuals feel they are able to share their situation and thoughts is crucial, both in and out of the workplace.
Debbie Lovewell-TuckEditor@DebbieLovewell
