Employers encouraged to use World Suicide Prevention Day to help break mental health stigmas
World Suicide Prevention Day took place on 10th September and Howden Employee Benefits & Wellbeing (Howden) is urging businesses to support better employee mental health to prevent issues from escalating, particularly given the cost-of-living crisis.
According to the World Health Organisation, one person dies from suicide every 40 seconds[i], with an estimated 703,000 people taking their own life globally each year. Suicide is the single biggest killer of men under the age of 45 in the UK, but rates have almost doubled among teenage girls and young women in recent years.
Mental health issues have escalated recently. A 2022 survey from Mind showed that a quarter of adults said their mental health had worsened since the pandemic[ii], and with many households worried about managing through the cost-of-living crisis, things could get worse.
Businesses are already being impacted by mental health issues. Research from Westfield Health[iii] said mental health absence costs had risen to £14 billion, with 76% of employees saying their productivity had fallen as a result and 24% wanting more mental health support at work.
Other research from New Deloitte survey found that 28% of employees have either left their employer in 2021 or are planning to leave their jobs this year, with 61% citing poor mental health as the reason they are leaving.
Leo Savage, Global Wellbeing Consultant at Howden says, “Providing mental health support is no longer a ‘nice to have,’ it is the foundation of a healthy and productive workforce.
The pandemic left many people feeling isolated, working longer hours, worrying about their jobs, or concerned about catching Covid-19 and the impact this could have on them and their families. But now with the cost-of-living crisis upon us, things could get worse.
This year’s World Suicide Prevention Day is focused on ‘creating hope through action’ and we are encouraging employers to normalise discussions about mental health and offer measures to prevent problems escalating.
It is important to remember that every individual has different health and wellbeing needs and there isn’t a single solution or fix all. However, a great deal can be achieved by talking about mental health consistently and ensuring people know there is support available.”
Savage highlights that normalising conversations about mental health can reduce stigmas. Other recommendations are for managers to have mental health training, so they spot issues and the warning signs and know how to signpost support.
Employers can also take the opportunity to remind employees about the range of benefits available, so they understand what support exists and importantly and how to access it. From Employee Assistance Programmes (EAPs), to apps which monitor and promote better mental health through to wellbeing initiatives including financial education or mindfulness. Many employee benefits policies now include value-added services such as virtual GPs and access to mental health practitioners. Plus, employers can signpost people to free resources and mental health charities that offer confidential support and advice.
Savage concludes with the importance of using days such as World Suicide Prevention Day to generate awareness and increase understanding of mental health and wellbeing. ‘’The global spotlight will be shone on the growing issue of suicide. Suicide is preventable and more than ever, employers have an opportunity to play a proactive role in supporting the mental wellbeing of their workforce’’.
For more information, please visit www.howdengroup.com/uk-en/small-business-solutions
[i] WHO: One Person Dies From Suicide Every 40 Seconds (newsweek.com)
[ii] A million UK adults who had problems with their mental health for the first time during the pandemic have not spoken to anyone about it – Mind
[iii] Rise in costs for mental health-related workplace absenteeism | Staff Absence Management
