World Suicide Prevention Day

September 10 marks World Suicide Prevention Day (WSPD), a day in which organisations across the world raise awareness about suicide prevention. With over 6,507 suicides registered in the UK last year alone, it is vital we open up this conversation.  

In response to the latest report released by the Office of National Statistics for 2018 which reports that suicide rates have risen for the first time since 2013, James Rudoni, Managing Director of Mates in Mind said:  

“Every suicide is a preventable death and the effect on those impacted is lasting. We know that we have a big challenge, and this does not deter us – to the contrary, it emphasises that more needs to be done. This should remain a priority issue overall, but that there is also a need to focus on men in their late 40s who remain the highest-risk group by age. 

What we also know from data previously reported by the ONS (2017) is that this risk is elevated in some sectors of the economy, such as construction, and within the sector the suicide risk is three times the national average for site workers. We affirm there is both a moral as well as clear business case for organisations to be aware of this issue, understand that they have a duty of care and recognise that they can play a critical role in tackling it.   

 Just getting people to create a space at work to open up a conversation about mental health continues to be the most immediate and effective starting point. We cannot underestimate this important first step – helping to provide clear language, create general awareness and help people to recognise that everyone has mental health the same way that they have physical health. In this space, part of the messaging is about people recognising the signs in themselves, but awareness also is about enabling people to spot the changes in behaviour in others, combined with having increased confidence to know how to appropriately open up a conversation with a colleague. 

Over the last two years, our experience in supporting more than 300 organisations has shown us that Mates in Mind can make a meaningful difference to how an organisation supports the mental health of its people. We’ve seen the industry respond, and with the ‘Stop. Make a Change’ campaign it again provides the opportunity for workplaces and sites around the country to do just that. We encourage businesses to download our resource pack or get in touch with Mates in Mind for more advise and support.”  

How Mates in Mind is working to change this 

In their first year of action, Mates in Mind partnered with organisations across the construction industry, building a community of 185 Supporter organisations, reaching more than 187,000 individuals across the sector. Today, they support over 300 organisations to improve their workplace mental health.  

Within the Mates in Mind framework there are four key elements which, importantly, together offer a holistic and joined-up approach: 

1. To educate and inform the workforce – with messages tailored to the workforce, to leaders and to champions – helping everyone understand their roles and responsibilities when it comes to mental wellbeing 

2. To support both the organisation in creating the right programme for them, offering guidance on specific worker issues from creating a stress management policy – through to connecting the workforce to appropriate support at the right time. 

3. To visibly support the framework throughout the organisation with relevant and accessible communication materials – from hard hat stickers to van stickers, to posters, flyers to wallet cards etc. 

4. To help build an evidence base – Mates in Mind are also developing a research programme which will help the industry understand the nature and impact of mental health and ensure the development of effective and robust solutions. 

To find out how to get involved with Mates in Mind, get in touch with their dedicated Programme Support Team on 020 3510 5018.