Today on 10 September 2023, we observe World Suicide Prevention Day. This year’s theme ‘creating hope through action’ is urging employers to ensure adequate mental health and suicide prevention support is made available to all staff worldwide.
According to data released to mark World Suicide Prevention Day, from global employee assistance programme (EAP) provider Towergate Health & Protection, employees worldwide need support, as shown by the percentage of flagged cases of those at risk of suicide (as % of total service users) by region:
- Africa: 5.6
- APAC (Asia Pacific): 0.9
- Europe: 1.1
- LATAM (Latin America) 1.5
- MENA (Middle East and North Africa): 0.3
- North America 0.6
- Global 1.3
“The figures for overseas staff flagged as being at risk of suicide are disturbing,” stated Sarah Dennis, Head of International at Towergate Health & Protection. “‘Creating hope through action’ is the theme of this year’s World Suicide Prevention Day’ and this is poignant. We would encourage employers who do not offer or communicate their mental health support to use this day as impetus to make changes and implement policy where needed.”
CLEAR MENTAL HEALTH SUPPORT COMMUNICATION
Group Risk Development (GRiD), the industry body for the risk sector, also reminds employers that it is imperative to communicate support for mental health clearly and regularly, so employees are aware that expert help is available should they need it. It’s crucial that communication includes how to access it confidentially and independently, if needed outside of office hours.
“Even the most comprehensive of employer support programmes for mental health issues will not save a life if it is not communicated regularly so staff know how to access it in their darkest hour,” stated Katharine Moxham, spokesperson for GRiD.
SUICIDE-PREVENTION SCHEMES
While some employers may have specific suicide-prevention schemes in place or provide other bespoke support, most employers who offer group risk benefits (employer-sponsored life assurance, income protection and critical illness) are likely to find that they have a range of support included as standard.
This includes a wide and varied approach for the individual and the business, as EAPs are usually embedded into the benefits, as is other mental health support. This often includes early intervention, fast access to talking therapies, signposting to mental health first aid training, ongoing regular support and contact.
While suicide prevention may not be the primary reason for the purchase of employee benefits, the products and services have evolved to provide vital support for those employees who are suffering from stress, anxiety or depression. Employers have a duty to ensure they promote this aspect of their benefits packages so employees can access the right support, designed for them.
OFFER WIDE-RANGING SUPPORT
Sadly, the group risk industry knows just how serious an issue suicide is. Data from GRiD’s Claims Survey 2023 shows that under Group Life Assurance policies, insurers paid 436 claims for suicide in 2022. While the financial support payable after a suicide is a help for the loved one’s dependants, employers have many powerful tools at their fingertips to help prevent these tragedies in the first place.
“I’m proud to represent an industry that offers such wide-ranging support to those struggling with their mental health,” added Moxham. “However, these measures have a limited chance of success if employees are not clear about what is available and how to access that support when they most need it. This World Suicide Prevention Day, where the theme is “creating hope through action”, we would encourage employers act by taking the time to review their communications around mental health support, as it could genuinely save an employee’s life and help put them back on the road to recovery. Suicide is never an inevitability.”
FOCUS ON CONNECTEDNESS
RedArc, the nurse-led health and wellbeing support service, highlighted how a focus on connectedness can be a key way to prevent the incidence of suicide. It believes employers and insurers should consider building this message and support into their communications and provision. Suicide can be prevented; and helping people recognise the importance of healthy relationships and social interactions in their lives can play a significant role in prevention.
In practice, this means encouraging healthy relationship experiences amongst the community via work, social groups, family, friends and other social institutions. Reminding people that human interactions, friendships, and relationships are important, and inspiring these social behaviours can play a key role in preventing individuals from reaching a point of desperation.
Many factors can increase the risk of suicide, according to RedArc. These include serious mental health and physical health conditions; environmental factors such as harassment, bullying, and relationship problems; as well as life events, such as unemployment, divorce and financial crisis. These factors on their own do not automatically lead to suicide or suicidal thoughts, but not having a support network, or the ability to discuss them with someone in a trusting and non-judgemental manner can often allow worries to escalate, exacerbate feelings of isolation and lead to people feeling less able to cope.
SPECIALIST & CONNECTED SUPPORT
Employers and insurers can offer specialist support from medically trained professionals who are proficient in knowing what questions to ask so they can detect any warning signs that people need help, and can offer the individual the most appropriate type of support. This might include access to a specialist mental health nurse, counselling, therapies, online tools & apps, reading materials or help with navigating support within the NHS. It can also include help in building healthy relationships, exploring new ways of developing a sense of community, and directing to specialist support groups. Such support can play a key role in suicide prevention, as well as help both those who have experienced suicidal thoughts and ideations, as well as their families and loved ones.
“Simply offering support is a form of connectedness in itself as it can help the individual to feel cared for, involved and present,” highlighted Christine Husbands, Commercial Director of RedArc. “In addition, highlighting the need for social integration – including friendship, and frequency of social contact – can play a key role in the prevention of suicide, as well as expediting recovering from mental ill health. For many employers and insurers, offering access to specialists who can encourage connectedness is a step that can make a huge difference to someone battling with their mental health.”
PROVIDING ADEQUATE MENTAL HEALTH SUPPORT
It is vital to prevent mental health issues from escalating, stressed Towergate Health & Protection. Other steps that employers can take include:
- Creating a culture that supports staff to be open about their mental health.
- Provide mental health support.
- Communicate mental health support and make it easy to access.
- Have an emergency action plan.
Providing mental health support for employees abroad can be relatively simple, and there are many options for employers to consider. Having access to people who understand the unique pressures of working abroad is very important, which can be offered via a global EAP for those working away from home. Such services can also provide counselling either over the phone or online. There are also apps to help with mindfulness and managing anxiety. International private medical insurance and some risk insurance products can include specialist mental health support and access to professionals who can respond quickly if required.
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World Suicide Prevention Day: How employers and colleagues can help.
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