Rising Evidence of Risk to the Suicide Prevention Workforce

By Caroline Harroe (Harmless CEO)

Working in suicide prevention can be incredibly rewarding, but it can also be extremely challenging. Suicide prevention workers are constantly exposed to death, grief and trauma, which can put them at increased risk of developing mental health problems, including burnout, depression and anxiety. In recent years there has been a growing body of evidence to suggest that the suicide prevention workforce is at particularly high risk of suicide. A 2022 study by the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline found that suicide prevention workers were more than twice as likely to die by suicide than the general population.

There are a number of factors that contribute to this. One is the constant exposure to death and grief. Suicide prevention workers often hear about the suicides of their clients and they may also witness suicides firsthand. This can be extremely traumatic and take a toll on even the most resilient individuals.

Another factor that contributes to the increased risk is the high level of stress associated with the job. Workers are often under pressure to perform and they may feel responsible for preventing suicides. This pressure can be overwhelming, and can lead to burnout and other mental health problems.

Finally, the stigma associated with mental health can also prevent workers from seeking the help they need. They may be reluctant to admit that they are struggling, for fear of being judged or discriminated against. This can lead to mental health problems worsening and increase their risk of suicide.

What is being done to explore this further?
A number of organisations are working to explore the risks faced by the suicide prevention workforce and to develop strategies to support them. For example, the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline has developed a number of resources, including a self-care guide and a training programme on suicide prevention and self-care. Other organisations, such as the Zero Suicide Institute and the Suicide Prevention Resource Center, are also working to raise awareness of the risks and to develop strategies to counter them.

How vital is it to appreciate that working in this sector can in turn create a risk of suicide?
It is important to support suicide prevention workers and to provide them with the resources they need to stay healthy and well. This includes providing them with access to training on suicide prevention and self-care, as well as creating a culture of support and openness within the workforce. It is also important to reduce the stigma associated with mental health. This will make it easier for workers to seek the help they need, and it will help to create a more supportive environment for the workforce.

Harmless’ stance on workplace welfare
Harmless is a suicide prevention organisation that is committed to providing a safe and supportive workplace for our staff. We recognise that working in suicide prevention can be challenging, and we are committed to providing our staff with the resources and support they need to thrive. We believe that workplace welfare is essential for the well-being of our staff and for the success of our organisation, and are committed to creating a working environment where our staff feel valued, respected and supported.

How we achieve workplace welfare
To address this, Harmless has implemented a number of welfare and well-being strategies, including:

• 4-day working week: Our staff work a 4-day working week, with one day off each week for self-care and recovery.
• Caseload management: We have a caseload management system in place to ensure that our staff are not overloaded with work.
• Reduced caseload operation: We operate a reduced caseload operation during peak times, such as the holiday season.
• Compulsory supervision: All of our staff are required to have regular supervision sessions with a qualified supervisor.
• Defusion: We provide defusion training and support to our staff to help them to cope with the emotional impact of their work.
• Therapy when required: We provide access to therapy for our staff when required.
• Close contact with a team: We encourage our staff to maintain close contact with their team members and to support each other.

Harmless recognises that staff are our most valuable asset. We are committed to investing in their well-being, creating a positive and supportive working environment, and to be world leading in the protection of this specialist workforce.

If you are interested in joining the Harmless team, you call view all our current vacancies here.