The newly launched ‘suicide postvention in the workplace guide: supporting organisations and employees’ offers key insights into managing and responding to suicide within the workplace. Developed through extensive consultation in a working group with experts across various fields, the guide addresses the complexities and sensitivities involved in responding to the death by suicide of a colleague, or an unexpected death from other causes.
Written by Professors Gail Kinman and Neil Greenberg, the guide emphasises the importance of promoting recovery, and preventing further adverse outcomes, ensuring workplaces remain healthy and compassionate environments. The guide is tailored to meet the needs of occupational health practitioners, wellbeing leads, HR professionals, managers, and policymakers like you. It offers key insights into critical areas such as immediate response approaches, communication protocols, support mechanisms for affected individuals, and long-term strategies for fostering a supportive workplace culture.
Roz McMullan, Chair of the Northern Ireland Council, formed part of the guide’s working group, and emphasised the resource’s broad applicability: "While designed to address the aftermath of a death by suicide, the resource also provides valuable guidance applicable to other sudden, unexpected deaths within organisations. I hope you agree it is a useful, evidence based, practical, and safe resource for preventing and managing suicide in the workplace."
The guide also tackles the unique challenges associated with suicide, including the stigma surrounding it and the varying rates of occurrence across different professions. Specific recommendations are included for sectors particularly affected by higher rates of suicide, such as healthcare, agriculture, and veterinary work.
This resource aligns with established postvention guidelines and will help you prepare to support your colleagues following a death in the workplace. This initiative marks a significant step towards enhancing organisational responses to tragic events and fostering resilient workplace environments.
All our members have access to Health Assured, to help you deal with personal and professional problems that impact your wellbeing. The Health Assured helpline is available to you 24/7, 365 days a year.