Demand for suicide prevention training in all workplaces

Delegates from NASUWT – The Teachers’ Union will today call for the introduction of suicide prevention training in all workplaces.

Although suicides are one of the leading causes of work-related deaths each year, they are not included in the UK Health and Safety Executive’s annual reports or in its inspection and protection programmes.

The NASUWT believes that this exemption must be abolished in order to address the causes of work-related suicides.

At the TUC Congress in Brighton, delegates will hear that the professions with the highest risk of suicide and suicide attempts include health, education and other public sector workers.

The NASUWT Workplace Wellbeing Survey of 12,000 teachers found that 87 percent of teachers say they are unable to sleep due to work-related worries, 85 percent report feelings of anxiety and 84 percent report low energy levels.

One in ten teachers say work-related stress has led to the breakdown of a relationship, almost a quarter (23%) say they are drinking more alcohol and 12% say they are taking or using antidepressants more frequently.

3% say they have injured themselves because of their work.

Almost one in five (19%) said they had taken medication and/or consulted a doctor due to work-related stress. More than one in ten (13%) said they had sought counselling.

Eighty-six percent of teachers told NASUWT that their work had had a negative impact on their mental health in the past 12 months, and 68 percent said their work had had a negative impact on their physical health.

Dr. Patrick Roach, NASUWT General Secretary, said:

“No one should be driven to the brink of suicide because of their job.” The previous government’s attacks on the pay, working conditions and other rights of teachers and other workers have played a key role in exacerbating today’s mental health crisis.

“The new government must address the legacy of the last 14 years, create a New Deal for working people and put in place a labour market plan that ensures decent working conditions and improves morale in all sectors, including education.”

“The last Conservative government failed to tackle the mental health crisis. What’s more, it deliberately pursued policies that made it worse – through a lack of investment in essential services and frontline support. This is the change the country voted for.

“It is no exaggeration to say that the teaching profession is in a state of mental distress. The number of teachers who are having suicidal thoughts and attempting to end their lives is increasing.

“Ending the climate of excessive working hours, unsustainable workloads, strict controls and accountability, violence among pupils and bullying by employers must be a priority for the new government. But ministers must also act quickly now to secure the social partnership that ensures the voice of education staff is at the heart of policy-making.

“Putting worker well-being at the heart of the new administration’s mission is key to improving the fundamentals and building a better future for all.”

NASUWT National President Rashida Din said: “There is no doubt that the rapidly increasing number of suicides and suicide attempts, particularly among people of working age, and especially among workers in health, education and other public sectors, constitutes an emergency.

“If we are to turn the tide on this mental health crisis, we must advocate for fully funded mandatory training in mental health first aid, which includes suicide prevention. Suicide education and prevention must be negotiating priorities in all workplaces, and we must advocate for increased funding for mental health services in all workplaces.”