Suicide Prevention in the Workplace

How You Can Prevent Suicide in the Workplace

There are many resources for suicide prevention in the workplace. Take a look at the Washington State Suicide Prevention Plan to see how your role might fit in with others.

See Suicide Prevention and Intervention Resources for Washington State government employees. “Our goal is to provide employees and management with tools, resources, and support to equip you to respond effectively when state employees are impacted by suicide, whether personally or in the workplace.”
Partners in the construction industry have created a WA-specific Mental Health & Suicide Prevention Resource Directory (PDF) and Toolkit (PDF) for workplaces.
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline – (800) 273-TALK (8255)
The Suicide Prevention Resource Center
The National Action Alliance for Suicide Prevention's Workplace Task Force
General resources
- Comprehensive Blueprint for Workplace Suicide Prevention – how to develop a suicide prevention program appropriate for your workplace
- The Role of Managers in Preventing Suicide in the Workplace (PDF)
- The Role of Co-Workers in Preventing Suicide in the Workplace (PDF)
- Resources for after a suicide (PDF)

Military service member or veteran

Washington Department of Veteran Affairs Behavioral Health Resources

Max Impact app was created for WA veterans experiencing traumatic brain injuries
NineLine Veteran Services is a WA-based organization promoting connectedness with veterans, their families, and communities.

WAServes connect service members, veterans, and their families to local services.

Veteran Crisis Line : 1-800-273-8255, Press 1

Military Crisis Line online chat - anonymous and confidential
Military OneSource
The Defense Suicide Prevention Office has many resources including links to suicide prevention programs at each branch of the military.

Make the Connection connects veterans to their community resources.
Air Force Resilience Postvention Tools is intended to help Leaders through reintegration and the aftermath of a crisis.

Athlete or coach

NFL Life Line - for current and former NFL players, their families, and NFL staff

The Jason Foundation's Coaches Assistance Program

Construction employee

The Construction Industry Alliance for Suicide Prevention offers several resources and posters, including the following collaborations with the J Spencer Foundation.

A WA-specific Mental Health & Suicide Prevention Resource Directory (PDF) and Toolkit (PDF) for workplaces.
Construction + Suicide Prevention: 10 Action Steps Companies Can Take to Save.
Construction + Suicide Prevention: Why Is This an Industry Imperative?
A Construction Industry Blueprint: Suicide Prevention in the Workplace.
Associated General Contractors of Washington's Suicide Prevention Resources page.

Correctional facility employee

Suicide Prevention Resource Center

The WA State Department of Social and Health Services provides Jail Technical Assistance, including suicide prevention training.
The Role of Adult Correctional Officers in Suicide Prevention (PDF)
free online training for suicide prevention in juvenile correctional facilities
Example of a Peer Support Program by the CA Department of Corrections

The National Alliance for Suicide Prevention provides recommendations to successfully prevent suicide in Juvenile Justice Setting.

Disaster Response

SAMHSA resources for disaster responders, in English and Spanish

Faith community leader

The Faith.Hope.Life campaign offers resources, publications and templates for worship and spiritual services for Buddhist, Christian, Hindu, Muslim, Jewish and Native American faith communities.

Faith Communities Task Force
Suicide Prevention Competencies for Faith Leaders: Supporting Life Before, During, and After a Suicidal Crisis
- The Faith Leaders' Guide to Self-Care After a Suicide video highlights the importance of self-care among faith leaders and shares guidance on what faith leaders can do to care for themselves and their own well-being.
Scriptural Truths and Hope: What God's Word Says About Suicide By Pastor Tom Holladay & Kay Warren (Saddleback Church)

The Suicide Prevention Resource Center

Resources for faith communities

guide for funeral and memorial services after a suicide

First responder

The World Health Organization has a publication (PDF) for police, firefighters and other first responders

Crisis intervention team training

can improve police departments' ability to interact appropriately with people experiencing mental illness.
The National Action Alliance for Suicide Prevention

videos about how people working in law enforcement and firefighting can prevent and cope with suicide
Suicide Self-Assessment Screening

Resources for firefighters

Video - Denver Fire Department: Making Suicide Prevention Part of Total Wellness
Video - Who Helps the Heroes - PTSD Awareness & Suicide Prevention
SAMHSA's Disaster Technical Assistance Center's Behavioral Health Resources

Funeral services employee

Substance Abuse and Mental Health Association

funeral director's guide (PDF)
National Funeral Director Association

resource page for people bereaved after a suicide
Suicide Prevention Resource Center
guidelines (PDF) for funeral and memorial services

Gun Retailer

Safer Homes, Suicide Aware campaign

Seattle Children's Safe Gun Storage Giveaway Events

American Foundation for Suicide Prevention & National Shooting Sports Foundation Partnership

Healthcare provider

Health profession training

The Suicide Prevention Resource Center offers many free resources:

emergency department employees
primary care providers
outpatient mental health care providers
The National Action Alliance for Suicide Prevention

training guidelines (PDF) for people doing clinical work
Tips for Health Care Practitioners and Responders: Helping Survivors Cope with Grief after a Disaster or Traumatic Event (PDF)

The Zero Suicide model

transform suicide prevention in health systems
Rural primary care toolkit

Free online trainings

Higher education employee

Suicide Prevention Resource Center

suicide prevention at colleges and universities
The Jed Foundation

campus suicide prevention and additional resources
Multicultural Competence Kit is a comprehensive resource for suicide prevention in diverse campus settings

Journalist

Journalism resources

WHO's Preventing suicide: A resource for media professionals 2017 update

Law enforcement

Carson Spencer Foundation

Video, "Breaking the Silence: Suicide Prevention in Law Enforcement"
Breaking the Silence Video Facilitation Guide
Copline: National Law Enforcement Officers Hotline
800-267-5463
Copline is available 24/7 and is confidential. Calls are answered by a peer support counselor.

Manager or human resource professional

The National Action Alliance for Suicide Prevention

a comprehensive blueprint for suicide prevention in the workplace, including resources for responding to a crisis or suicide loss.
Postvention toolkit (PDF) can guide managers through an appropriate response after a workplace suicide
Workplace Strategies for Mental Health provides suggestions for trainings, policies, and resources to promote suicide awareness and prevention.

Medical examiner or coroner

Best Practices for Talking about Suicide for Medical Examiners and Coroners was created to assist Medical Examiners and Coroners communicate safely to media and families about a suicide death.

Pharmacist