New research*, among 2,000 UK employees, ahead of World Suicide Prevention Day on 10 September, found most employees are still using inappropriate and outdated language to discuss suicide at work.
Two-thirds (66%) of employees are using harmful terms such as ‘committed suicide’. This phrase stems from a time when suicide was illegal. Its use can signal blame, contributing to stigma. Only 10% of employees would know that the best way to save the life of someone thinking of suicide is to ask them directly whether they have a plan to end their life.
Alongside this, nearly a quarter (23%) of employees are responding to colleagues who share their experience of suicidal thoughts with unhelpful phrases such as ‘please don’t do anything stupid.’ This type of language contributes to the taboo around suicide and undermines the person’s experience.
Sarah McIntosh, Chief Executive of MHFA England, said, “Using outdated language in the workplace, and beyond, is fuelling the stigma that’s holding many people back from having lifesaving conversations about suicide. Lots of people still do not view mental health as equal to physical health and that shows in the discriminatory words they use to describe it. Our language is important. It can help us eradicate stigma.”
Positively, the number of people who believe common myths around suicide has declined in the past year. In 2023, 1 in 3 people incorrectly believed asking if someone has a plan to end their life will put the idea in their head. In 2024, this has reduced to 1 in 5 people. While progress has been made, it’s important everyone understands that asking direct questions about suicide can be lifesaving.
Suicide is preventable through education and intervention. Suicide First Aid training provides people with a greater understanding of suicide, including how to spot the signs of someone who may be thinking about suicide and the confidence to intervene and help create a suicide-safety plan. MHFA England also offer Mental Health First Aid training and consultancy, to help employers tackle suicide prevention and support in the workplace.
Michelle Stebbings, Executive Lead at Support After Suicide Partnership said, “Research shows the extent to which people still shy away from having lifesaving conversations about suicide. Often this is a result of common misconceptions around discussing suicide and a lack of confidence in having these conversations in an appropriate way.
9% of people bereaved by suicide go on to make an attempt themselves and workplaces can play a vital role in ensuring this does not happen.
*Research by MHFA England
