Workplace Wellbeing & Suicide Prevention: Guides & Resources
Mental health can affect anyone, and the workplace can play an important part in making sure people have the right support when they need it. For employers, knowing how to approach sensitive conversations or where to turn for help can sometimes be difficult.
We’ve brought together practical resources to help you support your employees, alongside information and services you can turn to if you need support yourself.
Suicide and the Workplace Standard
BS30480 is a world first in industry standards and is designed to take the taboo out of the subject and offer practical and accessible guidance to workplaces of all sizes.
Suicide is a confronting topic that brings up uncomfortable emotions for us all, but when we look at data around prevalence and its impact on people, it becomes impossible to ignore that it is an experience existing in most workplaces and businesses, regardless of their size and sector.
The standard supports you to:
- Identify and manage suicide risk in the workplace.
- Strengthen workplace policies and culture around suicide awareness.
- Have confident, consistent and compassionate conversations about suicide in workplace settings.
- Embed clear processes to support and communicate with staff and families after suicide loss.
You can access the standard, here: BS 30480 Suicide and the Workplace | BSI
Explore the following guides and resources
The Work and Skills Interchange – Health Support
Health is important. In fact, health is everything. This page brings together useful information and links to make finding what’s needed easier.
Substance use and recovery awareness for business.
Workplaces that support staff experiencing substance use see improved retention, morale and reputation as a caring employer.
Shift Your Focus: A practical guide to help build mental fitness.
When your head’s full or you’re stuck in a rough patch, shifting your focus, even for a few minutes, can help you reset and get back on track.
Fully funded workplace training and development for North Yorkshire employers
Employers across North Yorkshire can now access free learning and development opportunities designed to help create more inclusive, supportive and productive workplaces.
Available through the Get Britain Working Economic Inactivity Trailblazer, the programme from North Yorkshire Council gives employers practical support to develop workplace cultures where employees feel valued, supported and able to thrive in work.
Click here for full details
In addition to the face-to-face training, North Yorkshire Council is offering employers and employees access to a comprehensive online learning package through Learning Zone. This includes a wide range of courses covering topics such as:
- Equality, diversity and inclusion
- Neurodiversity awareness
- Disability etiquette and inclusive recruitment
- Tackling bias and harassment
- Cultural awareness and inclusive communication
- Building resilience and emotional intelligence
To see a full list of the modules available, or to access the online learning package, organisations can register for a Learning Zone account and activate the Trailblazer learning programme using a dedicated access code – to request the access code, please email business.nyc@northyorks.gov.uk
Other resources and helplines
- Live Well York: Mental Health Support and Services in York. Visit; Mental Health | Live Well York
- Local Mental Health: Mental Health Support and Services in North Yorkshire. Visit; Local mental health | North Yorkshire Council
Urgent mental health help
- NHS 111 (England): Call 111 and select the mental health option to speak with a trained mental health professional. Available 24/7 for urgent mental health support.
- Emergency: If you or someone else is at immediate risk of harm, call 999 or go to A&E.
Free listening and emotional support
- Samaritans: 116 123 (free, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year). Whatever you’re going through, you can talk to them confidentially.
- Mind Support Line: 0300 102 1234, Monday to Friday, 9am-6pm.
- CALM (Campaign Against Living Miserably): 0800 58 58 58, daily 5pm-midnight, for anyone affected by suicidal thoughts or struggling with life.
If you’re thinking about suicide
- National Suicide Prevention Helpline UK: 0800 587 0800 (daily 6pm-midnight).
- Samaritans: 116 123 anytime, day or night.
Workplace Wellbeing & Suicide Prevention: Resources
Mental health can affect anyone, and the workplace can play an important part in making sure people have the right support when they need it. For employers, knowing how to approach sensitive conversations or where to turn for help can sometimes be difficult.
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Fully funded workplace training and development for North Yorkshire employers
Employers across North Yorkshire can now access free learning and development opportunities designed to help create more inclusive, supportive and productive workplaces. Available through the Get Britain Working Economic Inactivity Trailblazer, the programme from North Yorkshire Council gives employers practical support to develop workplace cultures where employees feel valued, supported and able to thrive in work.
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