World Suicide Prevention Day is an annual event organised by the International Association for Suicide Prevention and co-sponsored by the World Health Organisation. It was established to raise awareness of how to prevent suicide. This year, it is taking place on Sunday 10 September.
Why is World Suicide Prevention Day important?
We know that in 2021, there were 6,319 suicides, of which 507 were in construction alone, registered in the UK¹. In 2020, men accounted for three-quarters of all suicides. We also know that workers in construction were at some of the highest risk of suicide in the country, at 3.7 times higher than the national average². But there are other occupations throughout UK industry where groups are also vulnerable, including transport and logistics.
As the Office of National Statistic report² stated: attempting to explain suicide is complex as it is likely that a number of factors act together to increase risk, including some job-related features. We believe employers can play a critical role in helping to prevent suicides.
There is a moral case, but also a growing awareness of a strong business case which demonstrates that prevention needs to be at the heart of changes to company culture which employers wish to make.
Resources
At Mates in Mind, we empower organisations to improve the mental health of their workforce by providing the skills, clarity, and confidence to employers on how to raise awareness, improve understanding and address the stigma that surrounds mental health.
This is why we have created a suite of resources to support organisations not only on World Suicide Prevention Day, but also to create a holistic and ongoing programme of support.
Please click on the links below to download the free A3 posters. You can personalise the posters by adding the names of your Mental Health First Aiders, HR team, EAP Programme and so on, in the white box. Please then share it across your organisation.
If you are a Supporter, please see the link further down this page.
World Suicide Prevention Day 2023 Posters
We have additional materials available for our Supporters:
- A Toolkit Talk with ideas on how to start the conversation within your organisation, how to support a colleague who is showing signs of mental ill-health, and how to raise awareness of the issues with your networks.
- A Resource Pack with more information about World Suicide Prevention Day 2023, taking steps to prevent suicide, support for individuals and an employer’s guide to building a culture of prevention.
To access these materials please log in to the Supporter portal, and access your resources:
If you are not a Supporter but would like to find out more about our Programme please read on.
How we can support you
Mates in Mind can support your organisation to build a mental health plan and to create a culture of prevention.
Our dedicated team of Support Managers work with organisations of any size to develop a tailored action plan, evaluating your organisation's priorities and gaps, and providing the tools and support you need.
This plan will not only include ongoing support with communication and delivery of your plan, but also training opportunities, promotional materials, and a suite of tools (including WSPD packs) to enable you to drive long-lasting and meaningful change.
Find out more about how we can help your organisation build a culture of prevention when you become a Supporter by:
- Visiting our Become a Supporter page.
- Calling: 020 3510 5018.
- Using this contact form.
If you would like to know when we publish new resources, please complete the newsletter sign up at the bottom of this page.
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