Recent news events have propelled us once again to discuss the issue of suicide as a priority issue. Over the past couple of years during our internal case conferences here at CRA, we have been increasingly noticing the growing percentage of our cases that involve a suicidal risk. During the past month for example, over 30% of our cases involved an actual threat of suicide. The recent news stories have not come as a surprise to us.
According to the Centers of Disease Control, suicide has been increasing rapidly over the past several years, with approximately a 35% increase over the last 10 years, with
middle-aged adults aged 45 to 64 showing the largest rate increase.
In addition, suicides that actually occur in the workplace are rising even more significantly, with 2016, the most recent year of data, showing the highest number since the Bureau of Labor Statistics began tallying such events 25 years ago. My professional association, the American Psychological Association, has sounded the alarm that suicide prevention needs to be a "public health priority."
This is not just a mental health issue. It is a public safety issue. In regards to workplace violence prevention, we consider suicide as a primary high-risk factor. While we are primarily focused on the safety of those individuals who are contemplating suicide, we are also concerned about those around them.
For a number of reasons, people who attempt suicide will sometimes endanger or attempt to hurt others in the process. I am not saying or implying that most suicidal individuals are also homicidal, because most are not. However, virtually all of the major cases of mass shootings have involved those who either take their own lives or place themselves in a position to be ultimately killed by others (i.e., "suicide by cop"). It is my opinion that the willingness and desire to commit suicide is the necessary and critical ingredient that drives the actions of most of these individuals.
We constantly discuss the need for all of us, within all of our social and work settings, to pay attention to those who show signs of being in trouble. It is very easy to dismiss or ignore what may be rationalized as "none of our business." But it is our business. Sometimes, it's as easy as check-in: a "how are you doing?" or "is everything o.k.?" I have visited many workplaces over the years that had just experienced a co-worker's suicide, that were left traumatized and second-guessing themselves about signs that were missed or not addressed.
Within the workplace, if someone you know is struggling, then this needs to be addressed in a careful, considerate and effective manner with the safety of the employee and of those around them being a priority issue. If you know anyone in your personal life that may be at risk, you can call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255 or text "TALK" to 741741.
