National Suicide Prevention Month Workplace Toolkit
Press Release (Coming Soon!)
Our goal is to Spark a yearlong commitment to mental health culture change by engaging leadership, educating teams, and implementing practical steps.
- Suicide Prevention Month Awareness to Action Daily Plan (Scroll below to find daily action steps.)
- Video Toolkit to Download and Share
View and share the 6-Part Executive Playbook: FAQs on Building Mentally Healthy Workplaces with Adam Nemer
- Social Media to Download and Share
WEEK 1 – SET THE TONE: LEADERSHIP COMMITTMENT & INDUSTRY AWARENESS
- Sept 1 – Kickoff:
Launch your company’s Suicide Prevention Month statement and goals.
POST social media graphic announcing the month.
SMALL STEP: Take the pledge to make suicide prevention a health and safety priority at work: https://workplacesuicideprevention.com/
BIG ACTION: Share a public commitment from leadership—model after Hensel Phelps CEO message. - Sept 2 – Know Your Industry Risks:
POST second social media post announcing the month
SMALL STEP: View and share the 6-Part Executive Playbook: FAQs on Building Mentally Healthy Workplaces with Adam Nemer
BIG ACTION: Review sector-specific suicide data (video | CDC report). Discuss top risk factors in your work environment and tailor communication with your teammates on why suicide prevention matters to your organization. - Sept 3 – Understand the Costs:
POST social media graphic inviting others to “Take the Pledge” to make suicide prevention a health and safety priority
USE the NSC Mental Health Cost Calculator and Substance Use Calculator to show leadership the business case for action. - Sept 4 – Learn the Roadmap:
Watch and discuss the National Guidelines for Workplace Suicide Prevention overview. Identify one or two priority practices to implement this year. - Sept 5 – Promote the 9 Practices & 8 Principles:
Share a daily or weekly social media post from the Guidelines toolkit and highlight how your organization is embracing them. - Sept 6 – HR & Legal Readiness:
Review the HR and Employment Law White Paper to ensure policies are aligned with prevention, intervention, and postvention best practices. - Sept 7 – Leadership Connection:
Host a brief leadership roundtable to discuss commitments, resource needs, and accountability measures.
WEEK 2 – NATIONAL AWARENESS EVENTS
- Sept 8 – 988 Day:
Share the 988 Lifeline across all communication channels. Encourage leaders to post personally on why help-seeking is a sign of strength. https://988lifeline.org/988-day/ - Sept 9 – Construction Suicide Prevention Week (through Sept 12):
Use industry-specific tools from ConstructionSuicidePrevention.com to host toolbox talks and peer check-ins. - Sept 10 – World Suicide Prevention Day:
Participate in Cycle Around the Globe or organize a symbolic workplace activity. Discuss the theme “Change the Narrative” and how your workplace will do that. - Sept 11 – Peer Allyship:
Understand the power of peer allies at work by reviewing this Peer Support Manual as an example. - Sept 12 – Share Stories Safely:
For those with lived experience, take the Safe & Effective Storytelling Course. Watch examples like Manny’s Story and Dave’s Story.
WEEK 3 – BUILD SKILLS & SUPPORTS
- Sept 15 – Mental Health Literacy:
Host a training session for managers or supervisors on recognizing and responding to warning signs. - Sept 16 – Reduce Psychosocial Hazards:
Conduct a workplace psychosocial risk assessment and address high-priority hazards. - Sept 17 – Postvention Preparedness:
Review and rehearse your crisis response plan using the Managers’ Guidebook to Suicide Postvention. - Sept 18 – Promote Help-Seeking:
Share stories and resources internally, emphasizing that mental health care is part of total health. - Sept 19 – Community Connection:
Partner with local mental health organizations for a resource fair or lunchtime Q&A. - Sept 20 – Policy Review:
Audit your leave, benefits, and return-to-work policies to ensure they are mental-health friendly. - Sept 21 – Recognize Champions:
Spotlight individuals or teams advancing workplace mental health.
WEEK 4 – COMMITMENT TO YEAR-LONG ACTION
- Sept 22 – Evaluate Progress:
Gather feedback from staff on this month’s activities and their ideas for the year ahead. - Sept 23 – Set Annual Goals:
Choose 2–3 mental health culture change objectives and announce them company-wide. - Sept 24 – Schedule Quarterly Check-Ins:
Establish a rhythm for measuring and celebrating progress. - Sept 25 – Keep the Conversation Going:
Integrate mental health messages into ongoing communications (newsletters, intranet, safety meetings). - Sept 26 – Leadership Recommitment:
Have executives share their personal “why” for sustaining this work. - Sept 27 – Share Externally:
Publish a blog or social media post about your organization’s commitment and invite others to join. - Sept 30 – Closing & Call to Action:
Reflect on what you’ve learned, celebrate your wins, and recommit to ongoing action.