10 September 2026
World Suicide Prevention Day allows employers to acknowledge an issue that affects people, families and workplaces across the UK. However, meaningful support cannot begin and end with an awareness day.
As an employer, your role is to create a workplace where people feel able to speak, managers know how to respond, and clear routes to appropriate support are in place.
Published by BSI, BS 30480: Suicide and the workplace is the first British Standard dedicated to addressing suicide risk and its impact at work. Free to access, it provides practical guidance to help employers prevent and respond to suicide risk, as well as support those affected by suicide.
The guidance covers policies, possible warning signs, sensitive conversations, individual safety plans and knowing when specialist help is needed. It also includes practical tools for HR teams and line managers.
Practical steps you can take include:
- Making sources of support clear and accessible
- Ensuring employees know who they can speak to in confidence
- Giving managers the confidence to respond calmly and compassionately
- Reviewing how wellbeing concerns are raised and handled
- Planning how your organisation would respond if someone were at immediate risk
The Role of Mental Health First Aiders
Trained Mental Health First Aiders can provide an additional point of support within your workplace. They can listen without judgement, recognise when someone may need further help and signpost them towards appropriate services. Their role and boundaries must be clear, as they are not therapists or emergency responders.
At THSP, we have Mental Health First Aiders who are available to support colleagues. This forms part of our wider approach to creating a workplace where people know they do not have to manage difficult moments alone.
Practical Resources for Employers
Our Psychological Safety: Protecting Minds to Protect Lives article explores how mental wellbeing can affect judgement, communication and physical safety at work.
The free Stress Awareness Checklist can help you recognise possible signs of workplace stress and consider where action may be needed.
A Wellness Action Plan can then help an employee identify what supports their wellbeing, what may affect it and how their manager can help.
If you or someone else is in immediate danger, call 999 or go to A&E. For urgent mental health support, call NHS 111 and select the mental health option. You can also call Samaritans free at any time on 116 123.
For those working in construction, the Lighthouse Charity provides free, confidential wellbeing support to construction workers and their families. Its 24/7 UK helpline is 0345 605 1956, or you can text HARDHAT to 85258. Support is also available through the Lighthouse Charity website.
