The call to action is to "Start the Conversation"
Suicide affects far too many New Zealand whānau and communities. It is so important for us all to have open conversations about mental health. Take the time, but not just today, to check in on each other, especially those who may be quietly struggling. And remember, if you or someone you know is facing difficulties, professional help is just a call away. There are several FREE helplines with trained counsellors:
From a work perspective, employers can do better in supporting their employees. We can all make a difference, even if by making a simple change to the language which we use. A significant percentage of suicides could be work-related, and it has been recently suggested that there is a lack of knowledge around how to discuss the subject appropriately in the workplace. Many employees might not know that the best way to save the life of someone considering suicide is to ask them directly whether they have a plan to end their life.
Did you know that language such as "committed suicide" and "please don’t do anything stupid" can not only be unhelpful, but even harmful? "Committed suicide" contributes to stigma around suicide as it signals blame, while "please don't do anything stupid" undermines people's experience.
Employers are responsible for ensuring that their workplace is suicide aware. Employers have a vital role to play in closing this gap in knowledge and embedding suicide awareness, prevention and support into their mental health and wellbeing strategies.
