September 6, 2022 by June Scott
Did you know that according to the latest statistics from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, workplace suicide is up 39% since 2000 and continues to rise? September is Suicide Prevention Month as well as Drug and Alcohol Awareness Month.
Especially in younger populations, aged 10 – 29 years, suicide is often an impulsive act in response to a complete loss of connection, meaning for one’s life, and/or devaluing of one’s identity. It is essential for the foundation of a human being’s social-emotional awareness and mental health to experience a sense of belonging.
Workplaces encompass diverse social elements, from associates to customers to vendors, etc. Self-doubt and social stigmas around suicide and substance abuse often mean people do not seek help. To compound the issue, many health programs are unable to provide needed support or do not have the resources.
Does your business landscape cultivate leadership between you and your employees? This is demonstrated with trust, mutual respect, and also resources for navigating social complexities. Having resources that give employees accessibility to knowledge and opportunities for awareness, engagement, and personal growth can make a life-and-death difference, simply by communicating a ‘we care’ dynamic by making resources available and encouraging their use. Knowledge does much for creating sustainable and increasingly productive communities, impacting business and the well-being of employees in positive ways.
The saying that Knowledge is Power rings true when it comes to social-emotional awareness and growth, especially when applications and integrations of what is learned grows into life-altering insight and wisdom for one’s life.
Making resources plentiful and available can help employees directly and also help everyone in the workplace better understand how to support those who may be struggling, while removing negative stigmatization from the workplace that is often associated with mental health and addiction.
As an employer, it is important to help employees that are struggling with mental health issues and /or substance use so that they feel supported in the workplace. Having an Employee Assistance Program as well as initiating employee resource groups can offer ways to connect and make a difference. There is help and hope.
We are here for you and would love to work with you! Visual Vitality Consulting is re-working perspectives for business communities, with programs for being a connected, thriving community, with conversations and resources that make a difference.
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