The company highlights the importance of proactive measures in fostering workplace wellbeing and addressing the critical issue of suicide prevention.

Debra Clark, head of wellbeing at Towergate Health & Protection explains: “Awareness Days are an opportunity for employers to review how they support their employees, and also to help employees help themselves too.”

Proactive Prevention

Towergate Health & Protection stresses the need for proactive prevention in supporting employees' mental health. This involves recognising factors that can cause stress, both inside and outside the workplace. Common work-related stressors may include bullying, discrimination, abuse, job insecurity, or insufficient support for managing workloads. Employers have a pivotal role in cultivating a work environment that reduces these pressures, fostering a healthier and more supportive culture.

Building Resilience

Employers can empower staff to prioritise their wellbeing by providing access to health and wellness programmes. These initiatives can teach employees how to manage stress and build resilience, encouraging habits like maintaining a healthy lifestyle, practising good sleep hygiene, and staying active.

Timely Intervention

When employees are struggling, timely intervention is essential. Training team members as Mental Health First Aiders equips them to recognise early signs of distress and guide individuals toward appropriate support. Employee Assistance Programmes (EAPs) provide immediate help, and organisations like the Samaritans are available for crisis support.

Ongoing Rehabilitation

For long-term mental health care, employers can offer specialised resources, including fast-tracked access to counselling and therapy, ensuring that employees receive the help they need to maintain their wellbeing over time.

Debra Clark says: “There are some simple steps that employers can take to support the mental health of their staff, and it starts with prevention. If employees need specialist help, then it is available, and we’d encourage employers to investigate the options and make it available to their staff.”

The theme for World Suicide Prevention Day 2024 is ‘Changing the narrative on suicide’. This means making a systematic change, shifting from a culture of silence and stigma to one of openness, understanding and support. Employers need to prioritise mental health and increase access to support. The workplace can create its own culture from the top down and support can be offered through health and wellbeing benefits.