Between 1999 and 2018, the rate of suicide deaths in the United States increased by 35%. Each year, approximately 47,000 Americans die by suicide, which equates to approximately 130 deaths each day. The majority of suicide deaths occur among working age individuals, and statistics show that the number of suicides enacted at work have reached record highs.
What Employers Need to Know About Suicide Prevention
Research on common predictors, effective interventions, and strategies to support employees if a colleague dies by suicide.
January 25, 2022
Summary.
What should organizations do to help prevent suicide among its employees — and to help support suicide survivors after the death of a coworker? Research suggest first leaders and managers must recognize the workplace predictors of suicide. Then, create a respectful and inclusive work environment, learn to identify employees who might be at risk, and create a plan to take action. In cases where an employee dies by suicide, ensure you can offer their coworkers psychological first aid, crisis intervention, and both short-term and long-term support.
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New!
HBR Learning
Stress Management Course
Accelerate your career with Harvard ManageMentor®. HBR Learning’s online leadership training helps you hone your skills with courses like Stress Management. Earn badges to share on LinkedIn and your resume. Access more than 40 courses trusted by Fortune 500 companies.
How to build resilience at work.