Better Workplaces Mean Less Suicides

Posted on February 26, 2014

The workplace plays a vital role in creating a suicide safe community, according to a new position statement released by Suicide Prevention Australia (SPA).

The Statement calls on organisations of all sizes to implement workplace policies and programs that promote a mentally healthy workforce and prevent suicide behaviours.

SPA CEO Sue Murray said most deaths by suicide are among people of working age. Suicide is the leading cause of death for males aged 25–44 years and females aged 25–34 years.

She said one Australian study found that 17% of suicides in Victoria from 2000–2007 were work related.

She said the World Health Organisation suggests worker suicide is a result of complex interaction between individual vulnerabilities and work-related environmental factors that trigger stress reactions and contribute to poor mental wellbeing. Employers have a legal responsibility to provide a safe and healthy workplace, including managing psychosocial stressors.

“Employers may be surprised at how simple it can be to take an active role in suicide prevention,” Murray said.

Read the full article by click on the link below


Category(s):Workplace Issues

Source material from Pro Bono Australia