Suicide Prevention is everyone’s business: Cumbrian charity Every Life Matters is urging employers to look at how they support staff

A new British Standard is putting suicide prevention on the workplace agenda. Cumbrian charity Every Life Matters is urging employers to take a closer look at how they support staff.

What would your business do if an employee told their manager they were thinking about suicide? Would they know how to respond, where to find help and what to do next?

These are difficult questions, but they are ones every employer should be prepared to answer. Research from 2025 has shown that 1 in 15 will have thoughts of suicide in a year, so whatever size your workforce is, it will undoubtedly affect them too.

Published in November 2025, BS 30480 is the UK’s first dedicated workplace standard on suicide prevention, intervention and support for people affected by suicide. The guidance is free to download and is designed for organisations of all sizes and sectors.

For Cumbrian suicide prevention charity Every Life Matters, it offers businesses a practical opportunity to move beyond good intentions and put clear support in place.

What does it mean for employers?

Many businesses already invest in employee wellbeing through mental health training, employee assistance programmes or occupational health services. The new standard helps employers bring that work together and identify what might be missing.

Every Life Matters has developed guidance covering nine key areas, including leadership, workplace culture, training, support systems, responding to someone at risk and supporting staff following a suicide.

The starting point is straightforward: do employees know where to turn for help? Are managers confident about having a conversation with someone who may be suicidal? Is there a clear process for getting further support? And would the organisation know how to respond if a colleague died by suicide?

Managers do not need to become mental health professionals. They do need the confidence to recognise concerns, ask about suicide directly and compassionately, and know when specialist or emergency help is required.

Why should businesses act?

Suicide prevention is a community-wide responsibility, and workplaces have an important part to play. For many people, colleagues are among those most likely to notice when something is wrong.

Taking action can also help create a healthier, more supportive workplace, where staff feel able to speak openly and managers are better equipped to respond. Clear procedures reduce uncertainty and ensure support does not depend on one individual knowing what to do.

The standard is voluntary, but it complements employers’ existing responsibilities to manage workplace health and safety risks. It is not about creating another layer of paperwork; it is about making sure the right support is there when it is needed.

Every Life Matters is holding two half-day seminars in Workington and Barrow in November to walk employers through the new standard.  These seminars are totally free, sponsored by Siemens Energy.

Jess Rough from Siemens Energy said, 'as a business, Siemens Energy recognise that mental health and wellbeing are just as important as physical safety in the workplace. We are proud to support the Every Life Matters conference, helping to raise awareness of suicide prevention and equipping employers and employees with the knowledge and confidence to have potentially life-saving conversations and equally help people who are grieving a loss. By working together, we can help create safer, more supportive workplaces for everyone.'

No employer can prevent every suicide, but every employer can take steps to reduce risk, respond appropriately and support people affected. We know that suicide is a preventable death, and everyone can play a significant, useful and lifesaving role. Be brave, ask the question: ‘Are you thinking about suicide?’ You never know, it might be a conversation that saves a life.

Find out more

Every Life Matters is holding two half-day seminars, Suicide Prevention in the Workplace, at Furness College, Barrow, on Monday 2 November 2026 and Energus, Workington, on Friday 6 November 2026. Fully funded by Siemens Energy, the seminars will explore BS 30480, practical steps for employers and how to respond following an employee suicide, and all tickets are free.

For further information, visit every-life-matters.org.uk or contact us, at info@every-life-matters.org.uk.

If you are concerned about your own safety or someone else’s, seek urgent help. Samaritans is available free, day or night, on 116 123.