Role of Employers in 

Preventing Suicides

Suicide is a critical public health issue in the United States and 

a leading cause of death among working age adults. Creating a 

workplace culture of health and safety includes mental health. 

There is no single cause for suicide. Often, 

stressors and health issues come together to 

create feelings of hopelessness and despair. 

Most people who take their lives exhibit one 

or more warning signs either through what 

they say or what they do. It is important that 

managers and coworkers are prepared to notice 

and act on changes in a colleague’s behavior.

Set the Tone

Employers should lead with compassion and 

foster a supportive environment: 

• Speak out about workplace stress and 

mental health challenges and express your 

commitment to prioritizing employee mental 

health and well-being. 

• Ask about workplace stressors and discuss 

what support or services may help. 

Implement changes that are feasible based 

on feedback. 

• Institute an “open door” policy that encourages 

employees to share concerns and ideas with 

management without fear of retaliation.

• Encourage employees to connect and 

support one another by providing 

opportunities to interact.

Implement Policies and Programs

• Review policies and procedures for how 

work is managed to determine if additional 

flexibilities are needed. 

• Evaluate your overall work environment, 

such as customer interactions, productivity 

schedule, pace of work, etc., to determine 

if there are workplace stress factors you 

could address. 

• Share educational resources that address 

workplace stress, mental health, and 

substance use.

• If your organization has an employee 

assistance program (EAP), remind employees 

about the benefits and that it is confidential, 

and encourage them to use it.

• Help employees understand their health 

benefit plans, including coverages for mental 

health and substance use.

• Offer support for employees who have been 

affected by suicide loss, providing resources 

and services to support their healing journey.

• Provide information about mental 

health resources and services available 

in your community.

1-800-321-OSHA (6742)

TTY 1-877-889-5627

osha.gov/preventingsuicides

(over)
 TALK

» Wanting to die or kill oneself

» Feeling trapped 

» Feeling like a burden to others

» Feeling like they are in 

unbearable pain

» Feeling hopeless

» Looking for a way to end one’s life

» Increased use of alcohol or drugs

» Withdrawing from activities

» Isolating from family/friends

» Sleeping too much or too little

» Saying goodbye to people

» Giving away prized possessions 

» Venting aggression or rage

» Displaying fatigue

 MOODS

» Depression

» Anxiety

» Loss of interest

» Relief or sudden improvement

» Humiliation or shame

» Agitation or anger

» Irritability

OSHA 4369-09 2023

BEHAVIOR

Suicide Risk: Warning Signs

Equip Frontline Supervisors 

• Reinforce the supervisor’s role in listening and 

validating employees’ feelings, concerns, and 

experiences. It’s important they understand 

that being dismissive can be harmful. 

• Ensure supervisors implement all the flexibilities 

that you have built into your work policies and 

procedures. Encourage them to be creative in 

making adjustments for employees who are 

experiencing stressors at home and work, or 

who have been affected by suicide loss.

• Invite professionals to educate and train 

supervisors to recognize suicide warning signs 

and initiate conversations with employees. 

• Create space in management and other 

meetings for frontline supervisors to share 

their own concerns and learn from each other. 

• Hold supervisors accountable and coach 

those who are struggling with implementing 

your policies and programs. 

Be Prepared

• Be Aware that there can be warning signs for 

suicide risk. Mental health and suicide can be 

difficult to talk about—especially with work 

colleagues—but your actions can make a 

difference. When you work closely with others, 

you may sense when someone is struggling. 

• Pay Attention to warning signs that may 

signal someone is at risk for suicide. 

• Reach Out if you are concerned about 

an employee or coworker. Talk with them 

privately, give them your full attention, and 

listen without judgment. 

• Take Action in a crisis. Stay with the 

employee and seek immediate help. Contact 

emergency services, call or text 988, or visit 

988lifeline.org/chat.

• Be ready to support yourself and help 

coworkers cope with a suicide loss.

Share Resources with Your Employees 

• 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: Call or 

text 988 or visit 988lifeline.org/chat for 

24/7, free, and confidential support, 

including prevention and crisis resources 

for employees. Veterans may call 988 and 

press 1 or visit veteranscrisisline.net.

• Crisis Text Line: Text “TALK” to 741741 

or visit crisistextline.org from anywhere in 

the USA to connect with a trained Crisis 

Counselor for free, 24/7. 

For more information, visit 

osha.gov/preventingsuicides, 

osha.gov/workplace-stress, or: 

• American Foundation for Suicide Prevention 

(afsp.org)

• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention 

(cdc.gov/suicide)

• National Action Alliance for Suicide 

Prevention (theactionalliance.org)

• National Institute of Mental Health 

(nimh.nih.gov)

• Suicide Prevention Resource Center (sprc.org)