Category Archives: Uncategorized
Understanding the Suicidal Mind
Suicide is a mysterious enigma that challenges most people on many levels. One of the biggest aspects of the challenge is that we can never ask the person who died, “Why?” We can only infer from notes left behind, snippets of last conversations, and changes in behavior. The question of “why” often haunts the minds …
Suicide and the Perspective of Truth
Let’s talk about an obvious truth: Suicide is a choice, unlike cancer. People with cancer don’t make a conscious choice; they don’t take a deliberate action. But people commit suicide. Over the last two years, two beloved actors died. We offered genuine respect and love to Alan Rickman, who, it was said, succumbed to cancer. “He …
Top 10 Ways to Make Mental Health Awareness Campaigns Effective
1. Normalize struggle safely One goal for many mental health campaigns is to let people know they are not alone. When mental illnesses and suicidal crises strike, people often suffer in silence. By letting people know that others have lived through similar challenges, campaigns can offer hope and community. Pain shared is pain lessened. The …
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Make Suicide Prevention a Health and Safety Priority
On July 1, 2016, the CDC released its report on occupation and suicide for many employers. For the first time, researchers were able to rank industries by deaths by suicide. This milestone report immediately got the attention of risk managers concerned about the health of their workers. Below is a summary of the CDC’s findings.
How to Lead After a Death by Suicide
Suicide breaks all the rules. Consider the vigilant life-long efforts people make to grow and flourish. Remember the countless reminders received from parents, educators, medical professionals, and other caretakers to remain safe and healthy. Measure the perpetual efforts made to build toward a successful life. Remember the desperation when presented by a threat to life …
Employers’ Role in Preventing Suicide
American adults working full time spend an average of 47 hours per week at their workplace (Gallup 2013). For those dealing with a mental health issue or thoughts of suicide, employers have an important opportunity to create safeguards to protect those who may be at risk. There are many reasons why an employee may keep …
Construction Industry Blueprint for Suicide Prevention
On Sept. 3, 2015, a press release was issued by the Carson J Spencer Foundation; RK, a construction company in Denver; and the National Action Alliance for Suicide Prevention. This press release was timed to coincide with Suicide Prevention Month in September and World Suicide Prevention Day on Sept. 10 . This press release announced …
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6 Things Workplaces Can Do to Prevent Suicide
Members of executive leadership can take bold and visible positions declaring suicide prevention and mental health promotion critical workplace concerns. This proclamation can be in the form of a newsletter to employees or a video on a website. There is sample proclamation language within this National Suicide Prevention Week Toolkit from the American Association of Suicidology; for …
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10 Steps for Dealing With a Suicide
(Adapted from A Manager’s Guide to Suicide Postvention in the Workplace: 10 Action Steps for Dealing With the Aftermath of a Suicide) Death jars our concept of the way life is supposed to be. That dissonance is multiplied when the death is by suicide. Following the tragedy of death by suicide, the workforce will include people …
Union Pacific Leads on Suicide Prevention
Suicide is always a difficult topic no matter what the setting. It can be a particularly difficult topic to discuss in the workplace. Employers continually struggle to decide how far to intrude into the emotional life of their employees, though in the U.S. alone the economic burden of major depressive disorders was estimated at $210.5 …
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