Stephen "tWitch" Boss, a longtime DJ and co-executive producer on the talk show “The Ellen DeGeneres ... [+]
Another reminder that mental health issues, suicide and addiction are heightened during the holidays, with the passing of Stephen “tWitch” Boss—best known as the former DJ bringing light and laughter to the “Ellen” show—via gunshot wound to the head. This tragic event follows on the suicide of country singer, Naomi Judd, earlier this year also from a gunshot wound.
Every 40 seconds, someone in this country dies from suicide. “In recent years, the workplace environment has significantly changed,” says Jennifer Covarrubias, clinical director at Healthy life Recovery. “I think that 2020 helped us understand our mental health and how our workplace can directly impact our mental health hygiene.” According statistics, work stress such as long hours and job strain are leading causes of suicide among Americans. Suicide has become a global health crisis and the 10th leading cause of death in the United States—a rate that has risen 30% since 2020 and 53% among black Americans. Winter brings on seasonal depression and an increased rate of suicide. “The holidays can be a triggering season for many who have dealt with a loss (death, divorce, financial challenges) or don't have a healthy support system,” Covarrubias told me.
Know The Signs
During the holidays, it’s important to know how to recognize the signs of suicide and appropriate ways to intervene with colleagues, friends and loved ones when you have no idea where to start. We can never know what others are going through. Suicide can happen to people we work alongside of or celebrities like tWitch, who was the personification of joy, or Naomi Judd, who appeared to be happy and have it all on the outside. Whether you’re a celebrity or an ordinary person, there’s often a different story on the inside. It is estimated that eight out of 10 people who consider suicide show intentions to harm themselves, so it’s important to know the signs.
Naomi Judd seemed to have it all: fame and fortune on the outside, but on the inside a different ... [+]
- Isolation at work, poor job performance, tardiness, absenteeism, mistakes, lack of productivity or taking more time off than usual
- Sudden change in an employee’s mood, professional appearance or hygiene
- Speaking about death to coworkers or in their social media as a common theme
- Previous suicide attempts
- Indirect threats such as, “This job would be better without me in it” or “I might not be around to put my name in the hat for that promotion” or such direct threats as, “I’m going to end my life” or “I should just take a bunch of pills”
- Expressions of hopelessness, depression, burnout, chronic absenteeism and lack of interest in the job
- Arguments with colleagues, customer complaints and unusual behavioral patterns
- Giving away meaningful personal possessions
- Illegal behaviors (bullying, harassment, low level crimes outside of work),
- Financial stress (sudden adverse changes in their financial condition) or potentially public social media posts
What Employers Can Do
When companies discourage mental health from discussion in the workplace, it can be a barrier if employees feel fatigued, burnt our or depressed.“It’s important that employers implement self-care activities onsite,” Covarrubias told me. By way of example, she described the “Zen room” at the Mental Health Center of San Diego, where employees can take short breaks throughout the day, adding that this improves morale, productivity and promotes relaxation.
If you’re an employer, it’s important to make sure HR personnel are well educated about suicide and suicidal ideation. If you are an employee in an organization where suicide hasn’t been acknowledged or discussed, speak to someone in authority who can take steps to provide training for all employees. With appropriate training, you know how to identify and intervene to make sure a vulnerable employee gets professional help before becoming suicidal. Otherwise, social isolation can cut suicidal employees off from help when they most need it. Training teaches you that any form of stigma—judgment, name-calling or shame—must be avoided at all costs. Otherwise, it could push a suicidal employee over the edge.
No suicide threat or attempt should be dismissed or taken lightly. Statistics show that employees who talk about or threaten suicide or call crisis centers are 30 times more likely than average to kill themselves. And 40% of people who complete suicide had made a previous attempt. Threats or attempts are cries for help that something is gravely wrong in an employee’s life, and you should take them seriously and deal with them immediately. It’s important to be supportive, compassionate and understanding in cases where a coworker is suicidal.
If you’re concerned that a coworker is suicidal, trust your instincts. “When someone is struggling with thoughts of suicide, providing them a safe place to speak about their challenges is most helpful,” Covarrubias explains. “It is human nature to want help and offer a solution but normalizing the experience by listening to the employee can really go a long way.” Reach out to the person, share your concerns and be willing to listen. Find out if the person has a concrete plan to harm. If so, don’t leave the person alone or keep it a secret. Covarrubias recommends something like, “I overheard you saying, 'my life is not worth living.' I am concerned for your well-being. I'd like to discuss this with you." Being direct often eliminates the anxiety around naming the experience, she notes.
After learning that a staff member is struggling with thoughts of suicide, it is important to explore what their support system outside of work looks like, according to Covarrubias. “Working with the employee to explore a plan of support within the workplace is also helpful. It is important to maintain the employees confidentiality, have the employee speak to someone in management who they feel comfortable with and show genuine concern and support,” she says. “If your company offers an employee assistance program, a management referral can guide the employee to the professional help they need.
When an employee completes suicide, it affects everyone in that person’s life: family, friends and coworkers. Managers often bring in professional mental health providers to help workers cope with the shock and loss. It’s incumbent on management to provide employees an opportunity to process the trauma together as a group, ask questions and receive coping tips on how to emotionally self-care during this disturbing time.
Reach Out For Support
If someone you know is contemplating suicide, never attempt to counsel them unless you’re trained. Inform someone in authority immediately and insist the employee get professional help even if he or she resists. If you or a colleague are thinking about suicide, call 9-8-8 or contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, available 24-7 at 1-800-273-8255. Trained crisis workers will listen to you and direct you to the resources you need.
