Blog. Today is World Suicide Prevention Day.

Today is World Suicide Prevention Day, and while we tend not to mark many ‘world days’ it would be wrong of us to let this one pass without drawing attention to the issue because it’s one that we deal with frequently.

The simple fact is that one in four of us will suffer a mental health problem in our lifetimes, and if an issue isn't addressed it can escalate to self-harm or worse.

At HA we regularly receive cases where a person has attempted to, or has sadly taken their own life.

We support individuals who have considered taking their own lives, and we also support families, colleagues and friends in the terrible aftermath of a suicide.

Family problems, a traumatic event, addiction and money worries can all play their part the journey that leads somebody to take their own life, but the end result is always horrific and terribly sad, with those left behind often deeply traumatised by what’s happened.

At HA we’re always here to talk. If you’re worried about yourself, or you notice worrying behaviours in a colleague – call us. We’re on the other end of the phone 24 hours a day.

Call us on 0808 802 0282.

Much has changed in our industry in recent years, and people are generally more able to put their hand up when there’s a problem which is fantastic. But our own research tells us that only 17% of managers and 9% of employees have been offered mental health awareness training in our industry.

For managers it’s often hard to know how to advise a team member who presents with a mental health problem, and employers are worried about giving misleading information to staff.

We offer mental health awareness training and assist with the establishment of mental health champion programmes in companies of all sizes across the industry. If you’re an employer who would like to find out more email my colleague Ellie who can provide more information.

Later this year we’ll be launching a mental health campaign focusing on suicide prevention; in the meantime today, and every other day the most important thing we’d urge you to do - is be kind to yourself and those around you, you may be closer to somebody facing a crisis than you realise.

We’ve got you.