Resources For Suicide Prevention In The Workplace-💜

Key Takeaways

• It's critical to be able to identify warning signs of suicide including mood changes, withdrawal, or feelings of hopelessness.
• Taking early action and having open conversations are key to effective support.
• Employee Assistance Programs often provide free support, connecting workers to essential services like mental health care, confidential support, plus crisis lines like 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, the Trevor Project, and the Veterans Crisis Line.
• Managers and staff can be trained to identify suicide risks and leverage resources like the Suicide Prevention Resource Center.
• Building a supportive workplace environment helps to reduce stigma around mental health. Every employee should feel comfortable asking for help when needed.
• Local Detroit walk-in rapid access clinics like CNS Healthcare provide daily support no matter your insurance status.

Importance of Suicide Prevention in the Workplace

People spend a lot of time in the office. Being able to recognize common risk factors and warning signs can result in quicker help for those struggling.

Recognizing risk factors and warning signs

If you find yourself or notice coworkers feeling lonely, overwhelmed, or hopeless, acknowledging the need for help becomes vital. Here's what to watch out for to prevent self-harm:

• Someone mentioning they feel like a burden, feel trapped, or are suffering from intense pain.
• Significant mood swings, sadness to happiness, expressions of rage, anxiety, or depression.
• Major changes in behavior like isolating and withdrawing from work or social activities.
• Increased use of alcohol or drugs. A higher rate of substance intake could signal a substance use disorder.
• Reckless actions or heightened anxiety.
• Lack of interest in future activities or in general. Especially if someone expresses no reason to live.
• Getting rid of possessions they once valued may signal thoughts of them not needing them in the future.
• Inappropriate farewells may indicate a hint of suicidal intentions.

Key Resources for Workplace Suicide Prevention

Some critical resources for workplace suicide prevention include Employee Assistance Programs. Trained experts offer counseling and support to employees in need.

Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs)

Employee Assistance Programs, also known as EAPs are suicide prevention programs that provide assistance for people facing thoughts of suicide in the workplace. You and your coworkers can find support through their associated certified peer specialists and mental health experts.

Services provided by EAPs are confidential and free to both workers and their family members. You'll receive quick access to mental health care and health care providers from these work programs, which is important for successful long-term recovery.

These health systems can also guide you in creating a suicide prevention plan or safety plan if you feel as if you are at risk of suicide while working. A trained crisis counselor will assist you if you need to contact crisis support like the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, the Trevor Project, or the Veterans Crisis Line with their help.

EAPs also have the ability to connect you with additional resources around more serious mental illness and drug use.

Implementing Suicide Prevention Strategies in the Workplace

An effective way to curb the rate of suicidal thoughts at work is to train managers and staff to spot warning signs of distress right away, before thoughts begin. This support helps young people, service members, and all employees feel supported.

Training for managers and staff

Training managers and staff is a major step in preventing suicide within the work place. It ensures that everyone in a place of leadership can clearly identify the warning signs and will knows how to handle it.

1. Train managers and staff to directly ask their workers about experiencing suicidal thoughts using clear language. It's important to be straightforward so that employees feel they can be honest.
2. Stress the importance of taking any and all conversation around suicide seriously. Every staff member should know how to respond with care and understanding.
3. Educate them on crisis lines like 988lifeline.org, the Trevor Project, and Veterans Crisis Line.
4. They should know to encourage employees who are in crisis to get crisis intervention help immediately. If possible, they should accompany them to get help.

Promoting a supportive workplace culture

Creating a supportive culture is essential to mental well-being in the workplace. Every employee should feel safe bringing up their feelings. An inviting atmosphere can help to reduce the stigma around mental health conditions and encourages more open and productive conversations.

Peer support and non-crisis chatlines can also be helpful for your mental health. Look for local organizations that offer work related peer support groups to connect with others and share experiences.

Get Support On The Job

Taking suicide prevention measures in the workplace is a necessary safety step to ensure the mental well-being of every team member. Educating staff on recognizing risk factors and warning signs, implementing Employee Assistance Programs, and building a supportive work environment can all help workers get the resources and support they need to thrive on the job.

Incorporating these safety checks into the workplace can make a real difference in people's lives. For more resources, visit us at CNS Healthcare in Detroit, Michigan to learn more about local mental health services.

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