The impact of suicide on New South Wales
Various work contexts have a primarily male workforce, like in blue-collar jobs like construction, mining, energy, and manufacturing. Suicide prevention at work is a priority in these contexts. Males have a higher suicide rates than females in NSW and nationally. About three men die by suicide for every female in Australia. The situation is similar to that of many other developed nations. Despite its devastating effects on the community, suicide is one of the most common causes of death in New South Wales (NSW). The workplace should therefore invest in mental health programs to prevent employee suicide. CALM Suicide prevention training NSW is an essential program that every workplace should prioritise. It plays a crucial role in creating a supportive and safe environment for employees, as well as promoting mental health and well-being. By providing this training, organisations can equip their staff with the knowledge and skills to recognise the signs of suicide risk and take appropriate action.
Additionally, males are less likely to seek assistance when distressed than females. Thus, blue-collar manual workers have a higher suicide rate than other groups of workers. Young men and men in manual, blue-collar occupations are at higher risk of suicide than those in education, including those with lower skill levels.
In addition, the specific working conditions that prevail in industries dominated by men, such as construction, mining, energy, and manufacturing, are known to negatively affect mental health. As a result, workers work long hours, have tight deadlines, have physically and mentally demanding roles and responsibilities, have little job security, are constrained in their autonomy, are more likely to get injured, are more likely to experience bullying, and have limited mentorship and workplace support.
Suicide Rates NSW
There were 922 suicide deaths in the NSW in 2021 (679 males, 243 females), which is an increase from 902 deaths in 2020.
Despite an increase in female suicides in 2021, male suicides remain three times more common than female suicides in NSW. Suicide rates among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are twice as high as for non-Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. In NSW, suicide rates continue to be lower than national averages.
In parallel, the suicide rate for males fell from 16.1 per 100,000 people in 2020 to 15.7 per 100,000 people in 2021. Although Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander suicide rates didn’t rise in NSW in 2021, they’re still way higher than non-Aboriginals and Torres Strait Islanders. The suicide rate for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people is nearly double, at 21.6 per 100,000 population compared to 10.1 per 100,000 for non-Aboriginals and Torres Strait Islanders.
An overview of mental health in the workplace NSW
Employees can suffer vicarious trauma from the work, for example. It is important for organisations to make sure that appropriate training and support is available to their employees.
There are approximately 11 percent of all active claims for workers’ compensation in NSW related to psychological injuries, compared to six percent a decade ago.
There’s a lot less chance of someone recovering from a psychological injury returning to work and more chance of an adversarial claim process.
An average physical injury claim results in six weeks away from work. Psychological claims typically result in a 20-week loss of productivity. A psychological injury causes an average of 31 weeks of absence from work for those who seek services after an injury.
Assuring the safety of your employees at work
As part of the process of designing and managing work to reduce harm, there are options such as flexible work practices, rostering options and shift management options as well as the use of workplace health and safety policies.
Helping workers with their mental health
Return-to-work programs and individual placement support can really help people who are recovering from mental illness.
Additionally, a well-designed workplace can reduce absenteeism and improve employee engagement, which improves productivity. It is critical that leadership assists staff development, engages the staff, ensures safety, and encourages them to take part in the design of services and team decisions.
Encouraging and enabling early help-seeking
In the workplace, it is crucial to encourage and facilitate early help seeking. In addition to Employee Assistance Programs, peer support arrangements can also be used to support employees. Employees can be trained to help each other in peer support by taking courses such as Mental Health First Aid. Developing a Resilient Mindset training enhances staff resiliency and supports them in seeking help early. Managers and supervisors, receive Mental Health First Aid, CALM Suicide Intervention Skills in addition to CALM Suicide Awareness training can improve how they communicate with employees in need of assistance. We also offer elearning courses
Boosting resilience at work
Creating an environment where employees feel comfortable talking about mental health and thoughts of suicide, as well as providing support and resources for people suffering from mental health problems, can make workplaces a huge part of suicide prevention.
Physical health issues are often adequately supported in the workplace, but mental health and invisible illnesses are sometimes overlooked. There needs to be a change in this – mental health needs to be treated equally. It is equally important to maintain a healthy mental state at the workplace as a healthy physical state. Everything, including our work, depends on our mental health.
Employees can get help if they’re struggling if their employers create an open culture of communication.
It’s also a good idea for employers to train their managers and staff how to recognise mental health issues and how to start conversations about them.
In addition, make sure employees have access to Employee Assistance Programs, which offer confidential support and counselling.
It’s important for HR departments to understand suicide risk factors, mental illness warning signs, and both occupational health hazards and how to deal with them.
CALM suicide prevention training NSW
CALM suicide prevention training NSW offers a range of benefits for individuals and communities. This training program equips participants with the necessary skills and knowledge to identify and intervene in situations where someone may be at risk of suicide. By providing this training, NSW aims to reduce the prevalence of suicide and improve mental health outcomes across the state. The CALM program focuses on building resilience, enhancing communication skills, and promoting early intervention. By empowering individuals with the tools to recognize and respond to signs of distress, CALM training can help save lives and create a supportive network within communities. Overall, suicide prevention training in NSW is crucial in addressing the growing issue of suicide and ensuring that appropriate support is available for those in need.
WHS and Training Compliance Solutions
At WHS and Training Compliance Solutions, we are dedicated to providing comprehensive training solutions to individuals and organisations. One of the programs we offer is CALM suicide prevention training in NSW. This training is designed to equip participants with the necessary skills and knowledge to identify and respond to individuals who may be at risk of suicide. By offering this training, we aim to create a safer and more supportive community in NSW.
There are numerous benefits to participating in CALM suicide prevention training. Firstly, it helps individuals develop a better understanding of suicide and its risk factors. This knowledge enables them to recognise the warning signs and intervene appropriately. Secondly, the training equips participants with effective communication and listening skills, allowing them to engage with individuals who may be experiencing suicidal thoughts in a compassionate and non-judgmental manner. Lastly, CALM suicide prevention training provides participants with strategies for self-care and debriefing, ensuring they are equipped to support others while also protecting their own wellbeing.
Overall, CALM suicide prevention training offered by WHS and Training Compliance Solutions is a valuable resource for individuals and organisations in NSW. By providing participants with the skills and knowledge necessary to effectively respond to suicidal individuals, we aim to contribute to a community that is well-equipped to prevent suicides and support those in need.
