Suicide prevention in the workplace

Guidance and resources for employers and people leaders, to support staff experiencing suicidality.
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A person experiencing suicidality or suicidal distress needs support. This support could be from the people who know them best (e.g. their whānau, close friends or trusted colleagues) or from a health professional. 

What is suicidality? 

‘Suicidality’ is a term used to refer to thoughts, feelings and actions related to suicide. It includes a range of experiences, from occasionally thinking about wanting to die, to plans for ending your life. Suicidality also includes suicide attempts. All suicidal thoughts, feelings and actions should be taken seriously. 

By law, a workplace must eliminate or minimise risks to physical and mental health and safety (also known as psychosocial risk) that arise from work, so far as is reasonably practicable. To do this, workplaces need to understand what their staff need, and to learn how to listen and take appropriate action when they are experiencing tough times 

A guide for workplaces: Responding to a staff member’s suicidality

“Surrounding a person with manaaki, aroha and mate-ship can make a big difference to a person in distress.” — Russell, Suicide Prevention and Postvention Coordinator 

This resource offers practical guidance and advice for people who support or lead staff in workplaces across Aotearoa New Zealand to help them to care for staff experiencing suicidality, including after a suicide attempt. It also helps to ensure that appropriate support can be offered to others in the workplace affected by this situation. This guide lists ways to build a strong workplace culture, including implementing robust practices and protective factors for staff. 

Resources

The resources below can be ordered for free or downloaded. Visit the MHF webstore to see our complete range of free suicide prevention and wellbeing resources.

More information

For more information or if you are seeking further support, visit our list of helplines and support services or see our complete range of suicide prevention resources that are free to order or download.