World Suicide Prevention Day: Opportunity for employers to review their support

News
Joanne Swann
Hand holding
Hand holding

Employers should review their mental health support in light of World Suicide Prevention Day, Tuesday 10 September 2024, says Towergate Health & Protection.

Debra Clark, head of wellbeing at Towergate Health & Protection explains: 

Awareness Days are an opportunity for employers to review how they support their employees, and also to help employees help themselves too.

Debra Clark, head of wellbeing at Towergate Health & Protection

Prevention

The company emphasises the importance of prevention. This includes understanding what might cause stress in employees, which may be inside or outside of work. Potential causes of strain at work may include bullying, discrimination, abuse, uncertainty about job security, or lack of support for workload. Employers are in a unique position to build a culture that mitigates against these issues in the workplace.

Build employee resilience

Employers can help employees understand the importance of looking after their own wellbeing, as well as offer health and wellbeing programmes that help employees build resilience. This can include encouraging a healthy lifestyle, good sleep hygiene, and prioritising fitness.

Intervention

If an employee is struggling, then support is available. Training staff as Mental Health First Aiders can enable them to spot the signs that people may be struggling and signpost to support. Workplace EAPs can offer in-the-moment support for anyone struggling, and charities, including the Samaritans, are available to help in times of crisis.

Rehabilitation

There is a wealth of specialist support available for employers to support mental health, including fast-track access to specialist counselling to help people manage their wellbeing.

Debra Clark says: 

There are some simple steps that employers can take to support the mental health of their staff, and it starts with prevention. If employees need specialist help, then it is available, and we’d encourage employers to investigate the options and make it available to their staff.

The theme for World Suicide Prevention Day 2024 is ‘Changing the narrative on suicide’. This means making a systematic change, shifting from a culture of silence and stigma to one of openness, understanding and support. Employers need to prioritise mental health and increase access to support. The workplace can create its own culture from the top down and support can be offered through health and wellbeing benefits.

To find out more about the World Suicide Prevention Day campaign, take a look at Workplace Wellbeing Professional’s campaign page here: World Suicide Prevention Day.

Joanne Swann, Content Manager, WorkWellPro
Editor at Workplace Wellbeing Professional | Website |  + posts

Joanne is the editor for Workplace Wellbeing Professional and has a keen interest in promoting the safety and wellbeing of the global workforce. After earning a bachelor's degree in English literature and media studies, she taught English in China and Vietnam for two years. Before joining Work Well Pro, Joanne worked as a marketing coordinator for luxury property, where her responsibilities included blog writing, photography, and video creation.

Share

Latest News

Latest Analysis

Related Articles

Nearly Half Of UK Workers Now Use AI Weekly as Research Links Technology to Lower Stress

Research found that workers who regularly use AI report higher levels of workplace engagement and lower levels of stress compared to those who do not.

Amie Meslohi: Carers Week 2026 – the Hidden Cost of Being a Carer

I've known I'm a carer for a while now. But working on content for Talking Talent this week about carers in the workplace, something just clicked.

UK Employers Urged To Spot Signs of Gambling Harms as World Cup Fever Hits

UK employers are being urged to learn how to recognise the signs of gambling harms in the workplace as this summer’s World Cup approaches.

Gen Z ‘Won’t Trade Freedom for Salary’: 80% Would Accept Lower Pay for Greater Flexibility, Survey Finds

Gen Z workers are showing a preference for flexibility over salary, and are ready to accept lower pay in exchange for greater freedom in how and when they work.
Previous article
Alex Jovanovic: Wellbeing programmes for employees – where ideas meet reality
Next article
Social unrest in Europe – how to support employees on overseas assignment