Suicide Prevention is everyone's Business
Julia Davies
Suicide is a profoundly human issue that reaches into virtually every workplace — yet many organisations still feel unprepared to talk about it openly or respond safely when it affects their people.
Recent research shows that suicide is far more common and far closer to all of us than many assume. In the UK in 2023, there were 7,055 deaths by suicide, averaging roughly 19 lives lost each day — and with ripple effects felt widely by friends, families and colleagues.
But the impact of suicide isn’t limited to tragic loss. Studies suggest around 10% of suicides may be linked with work-related factors such as stress, job insecurity or bullying — highlighting that workplace conditions can intersect with wider stressors in people’s lives.
Behind each loss are dozens of people directly or indirectly affected, including coworkers, supervisors and clients — all of whom may struggle with grief, guilt, confusion or trauma.
Despite this reality, many employers feel uncertain about how to respond. Conversations about suicide are often avoided out of fear — fear of saying the wrong thing, fear of liability, or even fear that talking about suicide will encourage it. The evidence shows the opposite is true: compassionate, informed conversations can reduce feelings of isolation and encourage help-seeking.
This might include BS 30480: Suicide and the Workplace — Intervention, prevention and support for people affected by suicide comes in. This new benchmark, published by the British Standards Institution, is the first British Standard to focus explicitly on suicide awareness in organisational settings. It provides practical, evidence-based recommendations to help organisations prepare for, respond to, and support people impacted by suicide or struggling with suicidal thoughts.
But suicide prevention isn’t just about formal standards or protocols — it’s a shared responsibility. You don’t need to be a mental health expert to make a difference. What matters is being ready to ask with care, listen without judgement, respond with empathy, and signpost to appropriate support when someone shows signs of distress. You have guessed it, that's what a Mental Health First Aider does!
By normalising open conversations about suicide and equipping workplaces with practical tools and understanding, organisations can build environments where people feel seen, supported and safer — and where prevention truly becomes everyone’s business.
Recent research shows that suicide is far more common and far closer to all of us than many assume. In the UK in 2023, there were 7,055 deaths by suicide, averaging roughly 19 lives lost each day — and with ripple effects felt widely by friends, families and colleagues.
But the impact of suicide isn’t limited to tragic loss. Studies suggest around 10% of suicides may be linked with work-related factors such as stress, job insecurity or bullying — highlighting that workplace conditions can intersect with wider stressors in people’s lives.
Behind each loss are dozens of people directly or indirectly affected, including coworkers, supervisors and clients — all of whom may struggle with grief, guilt, confusion or trauma.
Despite this reality, many employers feel uncertain about how to respond. Conversations about suicide are often avoided out of fear — fear of saying the wrong thing, fear of liability, or even fear that talking about suicide will encourage it. The evidence shows the opposite is true: compassionate, informed conversations can reduce feelings of isolation and encourage help-seeking.
This might include BS 30480: Suicide and the Workplace — Intervention, prevention and support for people affected by suicide comes in. This new benchmark, published by the British Standards Institution, is the first British Standard to focus explicitly on suicide awareness in organisational settings. It provides practical, evidence-based recommendations to help organisations prepare for, respond to, and support people impacted by suicide or struggling with suicidal thoughts.
But suicide prevention isn’t just about formal standards or protocols — it’s a shared responsibility. You don’t need to be a mental health expert to make a difference. What matters is being ready to ask with care, listen without judgement, respond with empathy, and signpost to appropriate support when someone shows signs of distress. You have guessed it, that's what a Mental Health First Aider does!
By normalising open conversations about suicide and equipping workplaces with practical tools and understanding, organisations can build environments where people feel seen, supported and safer — and where prevention truly becomes everyone’s business.