Key points
- Warning signs are often visible
- Asking does not cause harm
- Connection to help saves lives
- You don't need to be an expert
Suicide prevention at work: what to know
Suicide is a difficult subject, but silence is more dangerous than conversation. Most people who are struggling show signs, and most are relieved when someone notices and cares enough to ask. The fear of saying the wrong thing keeps many people from saying anything — yet the evidence is clear that asking directly, calmly and with care is one of the most helpful things anyone can do.
Warning signs include talking about feeling hopeless, trapped or a burden; withdrawing from people and activities; giving away possessions; sudden calm after a period of distress; significant changes in mood, sleep, drinking or behaviour; and, importantly, any talk of death or wanting to die. Take any sign seriously. You don't need to be certain; you need to care enough to ask.
Asking someone directly whether they are thinking about suicide does not plant the idea. This is one of the most persistent and harmful myths, and it is wrong. Asking opens the door to honesty and relief, gives permission to speak what has been unspeakable, and tells the person that someone sees them. Most people in pain are waiting to be asked; few volunteer it.
How you ask matters less than that you ask. Be direct, calm and private: 'I've noticed you've seemed really low lately, and I'm worried about you. Are you thinking about suicide?' Listen without judgement, without rushing to fix, and without minimising. Don't promise secrecy you can't keep. Your job is not to solve; it is to stay with them and connect them to help.
Stay with them. If the risk feels immediate, don't leave them alone. Help them contact a professional — a crisis line, their EAP, a clinic, or emergency services — and, where you can, support them through the first contact. The first conversation is the door; the connection to ongoing support is what changes the outcome.
Afterward, take care of yourself too. Being close to someone in crisis is hard, and you are not expected to carry it alone. Your own EAP and support network are there for you. Supporting someone through a dark time is one of the most meaningful things you can do — and it is also something you should not have to do unsupported.
If you or someone you know is in crisis, help is available right now through your 24/7 counselling line, your Employee Assistance Programme, and emergency services. You are not alone, and the conversation you are afraid to have may be the one that saves a life. If you are unsure, reach out — it is always better to ask.
This article provides general educational information. It does not replace advice from a qualified health professional.
