Suicide Prevention: Importance in the Workplace

by | Sep 26, 2024

Licensed Social Worker Kristen Hopper provides her insights on suicide prevention in the workplace.

Suicide rates in the United States have steadily increased for much of the 21st century, rising by 37% between 2000 and 2018, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. With increased awareness around suicide prevention, rates decreased by 5% between 2018 and 2020 but returned to their peak in 2022. So, how do we address this mental health crisis? How can communities work together to save lives? With September being Suicide Prevention Month, one easy place to start is the workplace.

Suicide prevention is a critical aspect of workplace well-being and overall mental health. Its significance extends beyond individual support, impacting organizational culture, productivity, and safety.

Benefits of Suicide Prevention in the Workplace

The United States Bureau of Labor and Statistics reported 267 workplace suicides in 2022, up more than 13% from 2021. This underscores the urgent need for more employers to address mental health issues in their workforce. However, a recent report from the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention shows many organizations are reluctant to address these issues with employees, despite the workplace being an ideal environment to reach a demographic at increased risk: middle-aged men.

Addressing mental health issues, including suicidal thoughts, can have significant benefits for both employees and employers:

  • Employee Well-being: Mental health issues, including suicidal thoughts, can significantly impact an employee’s well-being. Proactively addressing these issues through training programs and support ensures that employees have the resources they need to stay healthy and productive.
  • Increased Productivity: Mental health struggles often lead to decreased productivity, increased absenteeism, and higher turnover rates. By focusing on suicide prevention, organizations can foster a healthier work environment, improving overall productivity and job satisfaction.
  • Organizational Culture: A workplace that prioritizes mental health and suicide prevention demonstrates care and support for its employees, contributing to a positive and inclusive culture. This can enhance employee loyalty and engagement.
  • Legal and Ethical Responsibility: Employers have a responsibility to create a safe working environment. Addressing mental health issues and implementing suicide prevention measures aligns with ethical standards and legal requirements related to employee health and safety.

Tips to Prevent Suicide in the Workplace and Support Staff

  1. Training Programs: Implement mental health and suicide prevention training for all staff to help recognize signs of distress and provide support or direct colleagues to appropriate resources.
  2. Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs): Offer access to confidential counseling and support services through EAPs, providing employees with professional help for mental health issues, including suicidal thoughts.
  3. Supportive Policies: Develop and enforce workplace policies that support mental health, such as flexible working arrangements and mental health days, to alleviate stress and reduce the risk of mental health crises.
  4. Open Communication: Foster open dialogue about mental health and create an environment where employees feel comfortable discussing their struggles, helping with early identification and support.
  5. Well-being Resources: Provide resources such as workshops on stress management, mental health awareness, and work-life balance to help employees proactively manage their mental health.
  6. Crisis Intervention: Establish clear procedures for addressing mental health crises, including accessing immediate support and communicating with mental health professionals when needed.

By integrating these practices into the workplace, organizations can make a meaningful impact on suicide prevention and support the mental health of their employees. This collective effort not only helps prevent suicide but also fosters a healthier, more resilient workplace.

Suicide Prevention Is Everyone’s Business

Suicide prevention is a collective effort. Everyone in the workplace—leaders, managers, and employees—plays a role in creating a supportive environment that can help identify and address mental health concerns early. This cooperation reduces the stigma associated with mental health issues and makes it easier for those struggling to come forward without fear of judgment. Employees often notice signs of distress in their colleagues before supervisors or HR. Encouraging everyone to be aware and supportive is crucial for early identification and intervention, potentially preventing crises.

If you or someone you know is struggling with suicidal thoughts, there are always resources and compassionate help available. Organizations like the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention can connect you with crisis services.

Chapters Health System is committed to serving the needs of its patients, families, caregivers, health providers, partners, and communities.

For more information, please call our helpful Chapters Health and HospiceHelp24® team at 1.866.204.8611 or contact us.

Kristen Hopper

Kristen Hopper

About Us

Established in 1983 as a community-centered, nonprofit entity, Chapters Health has grown exponentially through its radical approach to healthcare that leverages a one-of-a-kind system to support patients, families, and caregivers across the country, while remaining grounded in the mission of taking care of patients, or taking care of those who do®.

Learn More

Chapters Health System Announces Selection on Hospital and Health System CFOs to Know

Willamette Vital Health Finalizes Affiliation with Chapters Health System

Nathan Adelson Hospice Finalizes Affiliation with Chapters Health System

Andrew Molosky Makes Becker’s Hospital Review 2025 Great Leaders in Healthcare List

Andrew Molosky on podcast

John J. Whyte, MD, MPH

CEO and Executive President,
American Medical Association

John Whyte, MD, MPH serves as the CEO and Executive Vice President of the American Medical Association, the nation’s largest physician organization.

Prior to the AMA, Dr. Whyte served as the Chief Medical Officer at WebMD, leading initiatives that expanded strategic partnerships, created new business opportunities, and positioned WebMD at the forefront of digital health innovation. He was a pivotal force in evolving WebMD’s digital platforms from content delivery engines to powerful tools connecting consumers directly to care, establishing critical new revenue models. He is a recognized leader in healthcare delivery and regulation and is consistently named as one of the Top 20 Health Influencers.

Before joining WebMD, Dr. Whyte served as Director of Professional Affairs and Stakeholder Engagement at the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s Center for Drug Evaluation and Research. There, he spearheaded groundbreaking initiatives to modernize clinical trial design, expand diversity in research, and advance the regulatory use of real-world evidence — efforts that continue to impact patient-centered drug development today.

Earlier, as Chief Medical Expert and Vice President of Health and Medical Education at Discovery Channel, Dr. Whyte launched educational programming that captured both medical and mainstream audiences, successfully aligning mission-driven health education with corporate funding strategies and building new multimedia brand identities.

At the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), Dr. Whyte played a pivotal role in formalizing Medicare’s national coverage decision process, directly shaping payment policies and advancing innovative models to improve healthcare outcomes. His experience at CMS demonstrates a deep understanding of health policy, reimbursement strategies, and the critical intersection of clinical innovation and payment models.

A board-certified internist, Dr. Whyte completed his MD at Hahnemann University School of Medicine, his residency at Duke University Medical Center and earned his MPH in Health Policy and Management at Harvard University. He previously served as a health services research fellow at Stanford University. An accomplished author, Dr. Whyte has written extensively for both professional and consumer audiences, including five best-selling book

Andrew Molosky on podcast

Dr. Venki Ramakrishnan

Nobel Laureate

Venki Ramakrishnan is an American and British molecular biologist who shared the 2009 Nobel Prize in Chemistry. He currently works at the world-renowned MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology in Cambridge, England and from 2015-2020, he served as President of the Royal Society, one of the world’s oldest scientific organizations. He is best known for his work on protein synthesis, the process by which genetic information is used by the ribosome to make the thousands of proteins that make life possible. This process is fundamental to all life and its dysfunction leads to many diseases as well as to aging. He is a member of the US National Academy of Sciences and was knighted by the British government in 2012. In 2022, he received one of Britain’s highest civilian honors, the Order of Merit, which is restricted to 24 people across all fields.

In addition to his academic work, Ramakrishnan is a science partner of the venture capital fund Ahren Innovation Capital, and on the boards of the AI-based drug development company, Isomorphic Labs, and the British Library. He recently co-founded RNAvate, an RNA therapeutics company based on stable, next-generation RNA molecules. In the public arena, he played a leadership role when he was president of the Royal Society, including dealing with the consequences of Brexit and helping convene the Society’s response to provide advice during the covid pandemic and did a significant amount of public engagement including articles in the press and appearances on national media.

Ramakrishnan is the author of two popular books: Gene Machine (2018), a very frank scientific memoir about the race for the structure of the ribosome that led to the Nobel Prize; and Why We Die: The New Science of Aging and the Quest For Immortality (2024), which looks at the biology of aging and efforts to combat it.

Andrew Molosky on podcast

Marwa El-Menshawi, MD, MPH

Chief Operating Officer, PACE Chapters Health System

Marwa El-Menshawi, MD is the Chief Operating Office for Hope PACE. She is a triple board-certified physician, specializing in Family, Geriatric and Hospice Medicine. Dr. El-Menshawi's focus is on improving the lives of those affected by advanced age and serious illness through innovation in high complexity and value-based care. She has almost 20 years of clinical, academic and healthcare leadership experience.

Dr. El-Menshawi is a member of the American Academy of Family Medicine and the National PACE Association. She serves on the Mayor's Committee for Livability and Healthy Aging, focused on serving the community through advocacy and education, recommending and promoting programs and initiatives that benefit older adults.

Dr. El-Menshawi earned her Medical Doctorate as a Magna Cum Laude graduate from the University of Alabama School of Medicine and was awarded the distinguished membership into the Alpha Omega Alpha medical honors society, along with multiple academic achievement awards including the American Medical Women's Association Glasgow-Rubin Achievement Citation, the Merck Manual Award and the Peacock Teaching Fellowship. She completed her residency in Family Medicine and Certificate of Added Qualifications in Geriatric Medicine following a Geriatrics Fellowship at Advent Health in Orlando, FL. She serves as a Clinical Assistant Professor of Geriatrics at the Florida State University College of Medicine and an Assistant Professor of Family Medicine at the University of Central Florida College of Medicine.

Andrew Molosky on podcast

Andrew Molosky

President and CEO, Chapters Health System

Andrew Molosky is the President and Chief Executive Officer of Chapters Health System, the country's defining chronic illness organization, comprised of more than 30 different companies and programs, including the nation's largest nonprofit hospice network, PACE, value-based care such as CareNu, a Medicare Advantage plan, managed services organizations, technology solutions, advanced illness offerings, and more.
Established in 1983 as a community-centered, nonprofit entity, Chapters Health has grown exponentially through Molosky's innovative approach to healthcare, becoming a national leader recognized by Great Places to Work, Fortune, USA Today, and others for being a top place to work.
As a leading voice in healthcare, Molosky is routinely engaged as a consultant, speaker, and mentor. Molosky is modeling and leading across several industries concurrently.
Molosky has more than 20 years of experience spanning an array of geographies and organizations, including publicly traded, privately held, and nonprofit. He completed his undergraduate work at the University of Toledo and his Master of Business Administration from the Ken Blanchard College of Business at Grand Canyon University, additionally holding his Fellowship from the American College of Healthcare Executives.

Share This