Suicide prevention and postvention
Suicide affects people across the NHS workforce. Evidence from the National Confidential Inquiry into Suicide and Safety in Mental Health report shows that some healthcare professions, particularly nursing, experience a higher risk. According to ONS, female healthcare workers face a 24 per cent higher risk than the female national average, and female doctors and nurses are more likely to take their own lives than their male counterparts. Mind’s Blue Light Programme survey also found that one in four emergency services workers and volunteers have experienced thoughts of suicide linked to work-related stress or poor mental health. The ongoing cost of living crisis adds further pressure, with employees experiencing financial stress twice as likely to think about suicide or self-harm.
Employers can make a meaningful difference by creating a supportive workplace where staff feel able to speak openly and seek help. Because people spend a significant part of their lives at work, it is vital that managers recognise when someone may need help and that staff know how to access timely, confidential support. NHS Practitioner Health provides a practical guide for healthcare professionals and organisations on preventing suicide, responding after a death, and supporting recovery.
Suicide prevention guidance
Employers have a crucial role to play in suicide prevention and need to have a strong, organisation-wide suicide prevention strategy that supports the health and wellbeing of staff. Compassionate leadership and a psychologically safe workplace are essential, helping colleagues bring their whole selves to work without the risk of stigma around suicide or mental health.
NHS England has developed a toolkit to help NHS organisations reduce the risk of suicide among staff. The Working together to prevent suicide in the NHS workforce toolkit, published in September 2023, supports organisations to embed suicide prevention strategies into health and wellbeing policies and provides guidance supporting staff who may be at risk of suicide.
Suicide postvention guidance
Alongside a strong organisational suicide prevention strategy, employers also need a suicide postvention strategy to support staff affected by suicide, including those experiencing trauma or bereavement following the suicide of a colleague or loved one.
The suicide postvention guidance developed by the University of Surrey uses insight and testimonials from NHS staff who have been affected by colleague suicide or who have supported others through it. The guidance is intended for everyone working in the NHS, including NHS executive leaders, decision makers and policymakers. Watch a recording of the launch event.
The NHS Alliance NHS Employers, NHS England and Samaritans have also recently developed a dedicated postvention toolkit to help organisations manage the impact of employee suicide on colleagues. It is particularly useful for staff working in human resources, occupational health and health and wellbeing.
