Local businesses are being encouraged to “urgently” review and update their workplace wellbeing policies in response to the publication the UK’s first national standard dedicated to suicide awareness in the workplace.

The new policy, titled ‘Suicide and the Workplace – Intervention, Prevention and Support for People Affected by Suicide’, was published this month by the British Standards Institution.

It supports organisations to prepare for, respond to, and support those affected by suicide.

In Jersey, mental-health consultancy Mind Matters has urged local businesses to use the document as a “blueprint” to review their wellbeing and mental-health policies to ensure they explicitly cover suicide risk and intervention.

Mind Matters co-founder Michelle Buckles said: “Suicide isn’t just a personal tragedy, it reverberates throughout our communities and workplaces.”

Fellow co-founder Lydia Falle added: “With the British Standards Institution’s new standard, there is a clear, actionable framework available.

“We believe that every Jersey organisation has a responsibility and an opportunity, to build a safer, more compassionate working environment.

“Updating your wellbeing policy isn’t just good mental-health practice; it’s good business and good humanity.” 

Before the UK standard was introduced, Jersey already had a suicide prevention strategy, published in April this year.

It recommended that resources should be created for workplaces to help them support staff.

ADVICE…

Mind Matters had several tips for workplaces:

  1. Review existing workplace wellbeing and mental-health policies to make sure they “explicitly” cover suicide risk, intervention, and aftercare.
  2. Use the UK’s national standard as a “blueprint” for procedures, training and reviews.
  3. Train staff to have sensitive conversations – including teaching them how to safely ask about suicide.
  4. Create support pathways in organisations – such as referral processes, safety plans and bereavement support, and communicate them to staff.
  5. Make sure policies match Jersey’s own Suicide Prevention Strategy.