Suicide prevention initiative Baton of Hope has presented its workplace charter, which advises employers on suicide support and management, to parliament.

Supported by numerous MPs who have committed to actively working on suicide prevention, the charter features six principles for suicide support and prevention in the workplace:

• Make suicide awareness, support and prevention a workplace priority.
• Use clear and consistent messaging about suicide for internal communication and induction training.
• Implement suicide prevention, early detection and supportive services.
• Embrace those with ‘lived experience’ of mental ill-health or suicide.
• Promote crisis services and other resources providing suicide prevention advice, counselling, training and support.
• Promote the charter to increase suicide awareness, support and prevention.

Organisations committing to the charter show employees, clients and potential recruits that they are committed to the principles and support a move towards a zero-suicide society.

Current statistics around mental health and suicide include:

• There are 17 deaths a day from suicide. Numbers have not changed dramatically over the last 20 years despite numerous initiatives.
• The cost to UK businesses through days lost to mental ill health totalled £12.6bn in 2021, according to the Changing attitudes to mental health report (2022).
• 17 million days were lost to work-related stress, depression or anxiety in 2021 to 2022, according to the HSE.
• An estimated 914,000 people suffer with mental ill health relating to their work. That’s 51% of all work-related ill-health cases (1.8 million) for the year.
• One in ten employees who would be honest about needing a mental health day (HR Grapevine magazine 2023).

Says Dave Capper, CEO, Westfield Health:

“More and more companies are recognising the need and the importance of their role in supporting the mental wellbeing of their employees. The Baton of Hope Workplace Charter is an invaluable concept that will ultimately create a healthier workforce and shine a spotlight on the importance of us all working together in order to tackle head-on the challenge that every life lost to suicide is preventable and make a positive difference to save lives.”

Scope of the charter
The Baton of Hope UK workplace charter focuses on suicide awareness, support and prevention. Many organisations have in place mental health and wellbeing strategies, but specific mention of suicide is often a gap.

For those organisations that have little or no guidance in place this charter is a great starting place. It includes everything you need in one place to raise awareness around suicide and look after your workforce.

There are different stages to suicide prevention. These are primary prevention – how can we all as individuals raise our knowledge and confidence to talk about and support those feeling suicidal. Secondary prevention is being able to recognise and support those at risk. Finally, tertiary prevention is helping those with mental health problems to stay safe and well.

The charter also includes how to manage a death from suicide in your workplace and also how to support those who are bereaved by suicide.