New toolkit launched to support organisations after a suspected suicide or suicide attempt
A new toolkit has been launched to help organisations prepare for, respond to and learn from a suspected suicide or suicide attempt affecting their workforce — a situation many employers hope never to face, but few feel ready for.
The Suicide Postvention Toolkit, developed by MindForward Alliance with the support of A&O Shearman, provides practical guidance for HR, occupational health, health and safety and wellbeing leaders, and people managers.
The impact of a single suicide reaches far beyond one person. Research cited in the toolkit estimates that 135 people are affected, on average, by every suicide death, and that those bereaved by suicide face three times the risk of experiencing thoughts of suicide themselves. Globally, around 740,000 people die by suicide each year.
The toolkit covers key topics including the immediate and ongoing response, communication and language, support after a suicide attempt, potentially vulnerable groups, and global and cultural considerations.
It draws on the expertise of Caroline Roodhouse of Daddy Blackbird Communications, as well as the experience of people bereaved by suicide. It has been designed for practical use in the workplace, helping organisations to:
- Put a postvention plan and response team in place before they are needed
- Communicate with colleagues, families and external audiences safely and sensitively
- Support managers and colleagues who are affected
- Adapt their response across countries and cultures
- Learn from what has happened and strengthen their approach
The toolkit also includes lived experience voices, a directory of resources and support, and a readiness assessment to help organisations identify gaps.
"Most organisations hope they will never need a suicide postvention plan," said Alison Unsted, Chief Executive of MindForward Alliance. "Yet when a suspected suicide or suicide attempt affects an organisation, the impact can be profound. Preparation is not about expecting a suicide to occur. It is about ensuring your organisation can respond with humanity, consistency and confidence if it does."
We encourage employers to share the toolkit widely with HR and occupational health teams, people managers, senior leaders and workplace wellbeing champions.
If you have been affected by any of the issues on this page, support is available. In the UK and Ireland, Samaritans can be contacted free, day or night, on 116 123. Outside the UK, Find A Helpline lists support services by country at findahelpline.com.
How we can help
If you would like support putting postvention into practice, our Suicide Awareness in the Workplace training helps managers and colleagues recognise warning signs and respond safely. Our consultancy team can also work with you to build a postvention strategy tailored to your organisation. Get in touch with us at contact@mindforwardalliance.com