Two thirds (66%) of employees used harmful language such as “committed suicide”, the survey of 2,000 UK employees found, while 23% responded to colleagues who shared their experience of suicidal thoughts with unhelpful phrases such as “please don’t do anything stupid”.
The research was published ahead of World Suicide Prevention Day on 10 September. It explained that the phrase "committed suicide" contributed to stigma around suicide as it signalled blame, while "please don't do anything stupid" undermined people's experience.
“Suicide is a sensitive subject, and MHFA England’s research shows that there is a lack of knowledge around how to discuss the subject appropriately in the workplace,” said Sarah McIntosh, chief executive of MHFA England, speaking to HR magazine.
Research from health and safety group Hazards Campaign, published in February 2021, revealed that 650 suicides in the UK each year could be work-related – approximately 10% of all suicides.
A quarter (25%) of employees had thoughts of suicide or self harm in the last two weeks, a June 2024 survey by wellbeing technology provider Wysa showed.
Employers are responsible for ensuring that their workplace is suicide-aware, McIntosh explained.
Read more: Quarter of employees experience suicidal and self harming thoughts
She continued: “Employers have a vital role to play in closing this gap in knowledge and embedding suicide awareness, prevention and support into their mental health and wellbeing strategies.
“Many people are unaware that terms they are using are outdated, damaging and contribute to stigma. HR teams can help educate employees about the right words and phrases to use by sharing free resources such as ‘Suicide. Let’s Talk’, which provides advice on how to support someone experiencing suicidal thoughts or behaviour.”
Rebecca Holt, co-founder and director of mental health consultancy Working Mindset, suggested that employees and line managers should also receive training on how to talk about suicide.
She told HR magazine: “All employees and line managers should be supported by receiving appropriate, robust training in how to have safe, supportive conversations with people who are expressing suicidal thoughts, with clear guidelines of how and where to signpost to.
“This training needs to be delivered by people with clinical expertise who can also provide support and clinical supervision after we have supported a colleague.”
Read more: National suicide prevention strategy highlights employers' role
McIntosh added that employers should focus on creating a culture where employees felt comfortable speaking about mental health.
“It’s also important to create a workplace culture that encourages conversations about mental health, as this helps to normalise talking about suicide and provides a safe space for people to learn the right words to discuss the subject sensitively,” she commented.
Creating a supportive work culture can also include highlighting where employees could get support: “Whether it is signposting someone to a mental health first aider, contacting an employee assistance programme or making people aware of external organisations that can help – whatever support is available, make sure that people know about it.
“If someone is having thoughts of suicide, even if they don’t have a plan to end their life, encourage them to call Samaritans on 116 123, text ‘SHOUT’ to 85258, call Hopeline247 on 0800 068 4141 or call 111, select the mental health option and speak to a trained mental health professional.”
