World Suicide Prevention Day
“Creating Hope Through Action” is the theme for World Suicide Prevention Day 2021 – 2023.
You can find out more from the International Association For Suicide Prevention.
Suicide is preventable, which is why further awareness needs to be raised to de-stigmatise the subject of suicide, alongside mental health issues people may face. Within Construction, suicide is still a major issue, with two construction workers taking their own lives every day.
Raise Awareness Today
You can raise awareness in a variety of ways that are often, quick and simple.
Three examples of how you can raise awareness include;
- Open up the conversation with family, friends, employees and colleagues.
- Share materials on social media, your website and by putting them up in the work place.
- Join up with an organisation and promote their charitable activities and campaigns – they will often provide you with materials you can share, which means less time required to create the resources.
Listen to Our Podcast
Our Health in Construction podcast released September 2023 sees Melodie Gilbert and Clare Forshaw of Park Health discussing suicide prevention in the workforce and what we all can do to recognise and reduce the number – how a good workplace mental health culture needs to start from the top and the importance of education on the subject – hearing from a mental health first aider.
If you have any questions, comments or thoughts on this podcast, we’d love to hear from you.
Resources
Park Health & Safety have kindly shared some of their resources that are available for you to download below.
A4 Suicide Myth Buster Posters
Download a copy of these posters and put them up in your workplace.
Take 5 To Save Lives Leaflet
Download a copy of these posters and put them up in your workplace.
Mental Health First Aid Training
Equip your team or yourself with an awareness of mental health and well-being issues, how to spot the signs and where help can be received.
Our Mental Health First Aid Courses are subsidised to ensure they are accessible to everyone.
Organisations
Starting the conversation is an important first step in preventing work-related stress, which is why HSE have developed this Stress Talking Toolkit, specifically aimed at the Construction Industry, for organisations and individuals to use.
The Lighthouse Construction Industry Charity is the only charity that provides emotional, physical and financial wellbeing support to construction workers and their families.
They provide a free and confidential 24/7 Construction Industry Helpline which is a free Employee Assistance Programme for the industry. The helpline provides the first point of contact for those who need to access a range of completely confidential support services
Construction Industry Helpline App
The Construction Industry Helpline App is a free app to download and it compliments the support provided by the Charity through their 24/7 Construction Industry Helpline.
The App promotes self help and provides the user with information about how they can help themselves, or take the next step and seek professional help.
The App covers these main areas:
- Mental Wellbeing
- Physical Wellbeing
- Financial Wellbeing
- Information about support and guidance in your local area
#HelpInsideTheHardHat
The #HelpInsideTheHardHat Campaign was launched to raise awareness of poor mental health within the Construction and Associated Industries.
Every day two construction workers take their own lives.
This campaign provides support and resources for. the construction community so we can all work together to raise awareness and signpost support.
Get involved today by simply downloading posters, such as the ones to the left to help raise awareness in your workplace.
FREE Wellbeing Masterclass
Lighthouse are offering a FREE Wellbeing masterclass covering some of the following:
- Anxiety
- Building resilience
- Crossing the line
- Covid 19
- Financial management
- Gut Management
- Self care
- Promoting happiness
- Work life balance
- Meditation
- And more.
Take 5 To Save Lives
Launched by the National Council for Suicide Prevention (NCSP), Take 5 To Save Lives was developed to help assist the International Association of Suicide Prevention (IASP), who established World Suicide Day in 2003, as a way focus public attention on suicide prevention efforts and activities.
Take 5 encourages everyone to take 5 minutes out of their day and complete five action items on September 10: Learn the warning signs, Know how to help, Practice self-care, Reach out, and Spread the word. Find out more on their website.
Mates in Mind
Mates in Mind are a leading charity in the UK, raising awareness of poor mental health in the workplace, focusing on construction.
They offer a variety of tools to help raise awareness of poor mental health within the workplace and how this can be addressed.
Mental Health and Wellbeing Resources
The Health Employee have kindly provided us with some great resources for looking after and raising awareness of mental health and wellbeing. You can find some of these below.
