Suicide Prevention: It’s Everybody’s Business 2015

At Grassroots Suicide Prevention we believe that any one of us could be at risk of suicide, and that anyone can learn to help someone at risk. 

Brighton & Hove has a high suicide rate and we are working with city businesses to change that.  Businesses are uniquely placed to reach out to staff and colleagues who might be struggling with life.  Most people who die by suicide are of working age and many will be in employment. 

Any business can be significantly impacted by suicide; thoughts of suicide, attempted or completed suicide can dramatically affect staff morale and productivity.  Grassroots is helping local businesses be alert to the possibility of suicide and be ready to respond if needed.
 
What to watch for
 
Suicide is not a disease, with a checklist of diagnostic criteria.  People are creative and find very personal ways to communicate their distress.  Even someone who is trying not to let you know they are troubled may be unconsciously communicating their distress to you. Things you should be alert to include:
 
Someone saying things like: 

• Life isn’t worth living 
• My family (or friends or partner) would be better off without me 
• I just can’t deal with everything — life’s too hard 
• I’d be better off dead 
• I feel like there is no way out

Behaviours you might see, including:

• Getting affairs in order (paying off debts, changing a will) 
• Giving away articles of either personal or monetary value 
• Loss of interest or pleasure in usual activities (e.g., hobbies, outdoor activities, hanging around with friends) 
• Withdrawal from family and friends

Feelings you might sense, including:

• Depressed or sad mood (e.g., feeling “blue” or “down in the dumps”) 
• Despair, hopelessness 
• Feelings of worthlessness, self-reproach, or guilt 
• Thoughts of death, suicide, or wishes to be dead

Situations in the person’s life that might include:

• Stressful situations 
• Loss of any kind, including bereavement, divorce or a relationship breakdown.
• Encounters with the criminal justice system
• Debt, money problems

How to help

Take the Talk To Us business pledge

Grassroots is calling for 100 city businesses to sign their simple “Talk To Us” pledge and help them create a 'suicide safer city.'  Local businesses are pledging to:

• encourage colleagues to be open and honest when life gets difficult
• talk sensitively to colleagues if we are worried about them
• help them get support if they need it
• encourage colleagues to sign up to the individual Tell Me suicide prevention pledge.

Businesses can take the pledge at www.prevent-suicide.org.uk.  If you sign this pledge you will receive lots of resources to help you implement the pledge in your workplace.  Grassroots will add your logo to their  website and give you a logo to use on your website and social media.  They will give you a shout out through their Twitter (which has 25K followers!) and celebrate you as early adopters.

The first fantastic Brighton & Hove businesses to sign up are Latest Homes, Love HR, Austin Gray, SEA PR, Node Design, Brighton & Hove Bus and Coach Company, Brighton TOGS, Quick HR, Lime Consultancy and Ocasta Studios.
Free training

Grassroots is also offering FREE suicide alertness training to Brighton & Hove businesses (up to 3 places per company).  The course is particularly valuable for leadership, HR and occupational health personnel but is relevant to anyone working in a business who wants to be able to support colleagues who may be struggling with thoughts of suicide.

The free training is an internationally-recognised workshop called safeTALK (Suicide Alertness For Everyone) and is being held on 21st April at Hotel Pelirocco.  The 3.5 hour workshop can be booked through Grassroots’ website www.prevent-suicide.org.uk and teaches participants to:

• Identify people thinking of suicide
• Overcome barriers in talking about suicide
• Identify reasons we may miss, dismiss or avoid suicide
• Learn and practice a simple 4-step model of suicide alertness
• Connect people at risk of suicide with further appropriate help.

Thanks to Brighton Regency Round Table, Hotel Pelirocco and TSG Financial for supporting the training course.

Further resources:
Telephone and online support for people struggling with suicide: www.prevent-suicide.org.uk/ find_help.html
Samaritans: call 08457 90 90 90, text 07725 90 90 90 or email jo@samaritans.org

If you want to contribute to the Chamber blog, contact us on hannah@brightonchamber.co.uk