4 min read

Workplace Wellbeing: Mental Illness & Suicide

Nov 9, 2016 6:30:00 AM

Mental Illness and Suicide - FB.jpgAccording to the National Alliance on Mental Illness, 1 in 5 adults experience mental illness in the U.S. And 1 in 25 experiences a serious mental illness that substantially interferes with or limits major life activities. You have a greater likelihood of encountering someone in a mental or emotional crisis than someone having a heart attack. This prevalence of mental illness means it is likely impacting many individuals in your workforce.

But do you know how to recognize warning signs among your employees? Are you providing resources and fostering a mentally healthy workplace? Are your workplace wellbeing efforts addressing mental health?

Mental Health First Aid, a national initiative to help educate you on “how to identify, understand, and respond to the signs of mental illness and substance abuse disorders,” encourages a 5-step action plan:

  1. Assess for risk of suicide or harm
  2. Listen nonjudgmentally
  3. Give reassurance and information
  4. Encourage appropriate professional help
  5. Encourage self-help and other support strategies

As an employer, you can incorporate these action steps into your own workplace wellbeing efforts. Consider the following questions:

  • Is your HR staff educated on the warning signs of mental illness?
  • Have you created an environment where employees feel comfortable going to a supervisor or human resources about a mental health concern without fear of stigma or discrimination?
  • Do you provide an Employee Assistance Program? Do you promote it to your employees and help explain what it offers?
  • Do your managers and supervisors understand what resources are available so they can refer employees appropriately?
  • Do your culture and policies promote work-like balance?
  • Does your health insurance plan include adequate coverage for mental health services?

Suicide Prevention

In the U.S., over 40,000 people die by suicide annually and there are over 1 million attempts. Tragic stories of homicide fill the front pages of our local newspapers yet suicide deaths occur almost three times more frequently. Statistically we lose over 117 Americans to suicide each day. It is the 10th leading cause of death in the U.S.

What can you do to prevent these tragic deaths by suicide? United Health Services' Suicide Prevention Center, shares three steps to help save a life:

  1. Look For Clues. Most people will give some kind of clue they are contemplating suicide. They don’t necessarily wish to die but are seeking a way for the profound pain they are feeling to stop or go away.
    • Watch for verbal clues such as an employee saying “Life is difficult” or “I’m so sad all the time” or even something more direct like “I don’t wish to keep living like this.”
    • Look for behavioral clues including a person giving away a prized possession, putting their affairs in order, or taking steps to implement a suicide such as purchasing a gun or stockpiling pills.
    • Situational clues to watch for include a profound struggle with loss (of a loved one, health, independence, or finances) or fear of becoming a burden for a loved one, colleagues, or society.
  2. Ask Directly About Suicide. Suicide is not something we typically talk about, but asking a suicidal person about their intentions can help him feel less alone and offer hope. Ask directly: “Are you thinking about suicide?” or “Are you thinking about killing yourself?” Do not beat around the bush by asking in a negative way “You’re not thinking of suicide are you?” or by asking about hurting yourself or doing something crazy.

  3. Connect The Person To Help. Once you have identified a suicidal person, it is imperative to connect him or her to a caring professional quickly. Contact your company’s EAP or call 911 for an emergency responder to assist. You can also call the Suicide Lifeline at 800-273-8255 and enlist the help of a trained professional. Simply find a quiet place and put the phone on speaker so the three of you can talk. Why not enter that hotline number into your cell phone right now so you will have it should you need it?

Marie also reminds us that how we talk about suicide is important: “Given the alarming statistics around suicide and the huge number of deaths associated with it, shouldn’t we begin to talk more openly about it? Yes, there is a taboo around the topic of suicide but by talking about it we can reduce not only the stigma but also the rate of suicide.”

If you are committed to promoting wellbeing for your employees you cannot forget about mental health. There is often a stigma surrounding mental illness. But with the help of organizations like the Suicide Prevention Center, actions by individuals, and efforts by employers to provide resources & foster a mentally healthy workplace, we can raise awareness and work to tear down the stigma.

Gibson

Written by Gibson

Gibson is a team of risk management and employee benefits professionals with a passion for helping leaders look beyond what others see and get to the proactive side of insurance. As an employee-owned company, Gibson is driven by close relationships with their clients, employees, and the communities they serve. The first Gibson office opened in 1933 in Northern Indiana, and as the company’s reach grew, so did their team. Today, Gibson serves clients across the country from offices in Arizona, Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, and Utah.