World Suicide Prevention Day: Why We Need More Investment into Mental Health

September 10^th marks World Suicide Prevention Day, a powerful reminder and call to action to protect those who are struggling, and to create avenues to strengthen prevention and improve support systems. 

Suicide is a significant public health problem with far-reaching consequences and an intricate web of risk factors, making encouraging hope and putting practical support in place a complex effort. 

Generating positive change requires tangible efforts dedicated to reducing stigma and increasing awareness, particularly in key areas and environments such as in the workplace. 

Headteacher Ruth Perry’s suicide in January 2023 was a stark wake-up call but not an isolated case, shining a light on the complex link between work-related stressors and an increase in suicide risk factors. 

One area where we can make a positive impact in reducing suicide risk is workplace mental health support.  

When it comes to protecting mental wellbeing, putting the right support systems in place at work can make all the difference, preventing certain issues from escalating and potentially leading individuals to take their own lives. 

Are businesses investing in mental health services? 

Businesses are increasingly investing in mental health, but the risk is that this is being treated as a tick-box exercise by some, who may think that simply having an Employee Assistance Programme means employees are covered – but it’s not that simple.  

One of the main barriers is not being able to tell if these types of programmes are effective or not. Many EAPs have very low uptake levels – around 3-5% on average.  As a business, how can I know that this significant investment is having a positive benefit, if so few people are accessing the service? Accessing the data on the service you're providing gives you a clearer indication of whether it's actually helping your employees – which should be the priority. 

Another barrier is also the wider culture within an organisation. Mental health is seen as a luxury, rather than a necessity, something that's good to have if the budget is there, but often one of the first things to go when tightening our belts.  

A study by Deloitte shows that the ROI for mental health intervention is around 5-8 times the initial investment, so the benefits are clear, meaning we should be placing greater value on mental health services within the workplace. 

Exploring the risk factors in particular industries 

Many of the high-risk industries for suicides, such as construction or farming, have higher proportions of male workers, and men are significantly less likely to talk about their feelings or access support when they need to.  

Some professions, such as medical professionals and vets, have highly emotive roles which can easily lead to burnout. Added to this are professions where access to means and methods is facilitated, such as farmers, who have access to firearms more than almost any other profession. 

It's worth noting that for many high-risk professions the risk also comes after retirement, such as for military veterans, or emergency responders, where certain issues may not be picked up or supported after the person has left the job. 

How does stigma surrounding mental health impact workers? 

Stigma has two main effects when it comes to high suicide rates: it can be a barrier to getting support, and it can elicit shame in a person, amplifying their mental health issues.  

The stigma of it being a weakness, that someone should ‘get over it’, means it's not seen as acceptable to reach out for help.  

In professions like construction, where workers might be surrounded by others whom they see as unaffected, or where certain those issues are made fun of or belittled, it can be harder to go against the norm.  

Additionally, if people believe that they should be able to cope and that they shouldn't be struggling, that can bring up a sense of shame. Employees may feel that they're wrong for struggling when those around them seemingly aren't. This is worse in professions where the risk factors for poor mental health are seen as part of the job. For instance, if a paramedic is affected by the traumatic incidents they see, there is sometimes a harmful belief that this is the nature of the job they signed up for, and that therefore it shouldn't affect them. 

Implementing effective strategies in the workplace 

The best thing we can do in the workplace is to foster a mental health culture where it is okay to discuss mental health, as well as suicide. One in five people in the UK will have thoughts of suicide at some point in their life, so it's more common than we realise.  

If people feel able to talk about their struggles and seek support early, then the risk of something building over time is significantly reduced. Working to remove the stigma of accessing support is also vital – motivating people to use EAP services or speaking to Mental Health First Aiders means access to support becomes easier.  

Encouraging conversations also normalises these issues, so they are not treated as taboo subjects. Creating opportunities for group discussion, having additional training on mental health and taking part in suicide awareness days can help normalise these conversations. And, providing effective support through counselling and therapy services for those who disclose their mental health struggles is vital for getting them the help and support they need. 

Want to learn more about how to implement long-lasting positive change in your business? Get in touch with our team today.