The guidance below outlines the steps that managers can take when they are concerned that a staff member has thoughts of suicide. This can also be used by HR staff, Peer Supporters and staff side representatives.
Quick Links
- Ask about suicide
- Help them tell their story
- Discuss their wellbeing
- Check in later on
- Ask about a plan
- Will they act now?
- Connect and signpost
- Disable future plans
- Contact Emergency Services
- Training
Ask about suicide
Ask clearly and directly “Are you having thoughts about suicide?”
- If Yes – go to box Help them tell their story
- If No – go to box Discuss their wellbeing
Help them tell their story
Help the staff member tell their story about suicide. Listen and provide patient, compassionate support.
Discuss their wellbeing
Have a discussion around their current wellbeing, with signposting and support services being part of that conversation. Explore who they might want to talk to about their low mood, such as friends or family members, if appropriate.
Offer to send a referral to Occupational Health Psychology and Wellbeing Services on ggc.OHPWS@nhs.scot or 0141 277 7623.
Suggest they speak to their GP and later check in on this with them.
Check in later on
Arrange further check-ins to meet the staff member to ensure they feel supported.
Ask about a plan
Ask clearly, “Do you have a suicide plan?”
- If Yes – go to box Will they act now?
- If No – go to box Connect and signpost
Will they act now?
If the staff member says that they have a suicide plan then establish whether they have timescales, means and access to these. Ask are they planning to act now?
Yes – go to box Contact Emergency Services
No – go to box Disable future plans
Connect and signpost
Support the staff member to make contact with suicide first aid resources below. This will help establish safety in the future.
Signposting Resources:
Helping the staff member understand that there are organisations that can help them to stay safe from suicide is very important. The following information should be given:
- Breathing Space – 0800 83 85 87 (Lines opened on weekdays Monday to Thursday 6.00pm to 2.00am and weekends Friday to Monday 6.00pm to 6.00am)
- Samaritans – 116 113 (available 24/7)
- NHS24 – 111 (available 24/7 – Mental Health Nursing staff provide expert clinical support within the team).
Advise the staff member to contact their GP and arrange an emergency appointment, explaining the circumstances. If their GP is not open, they can call NHS24 as detailed above.
Make an agreement to check in with the staff member at a later date.
They may need some time off work to visit their GP or other services.
Explore with the staff member if they could identify a safety contact that they can speak to if needed. This might be a close family member or friend, but it can also be one of the support services already detailed above.
Disable future plans
Work with the staff member to keep them safe for now and help them disable their plan. Helpful areas to discuss can be:
- Pause. Don’t act on these thoughts; they can change.
- Talk to someone you trust or a support service.
- Use online support if speaking feels hard.
- Focus on staying safe right now.
- Reflect on your reasons for living.
Protective factors such as people they care about and those that care about them.
Highlight any areas of hope that things might change in the future.
Signpost and help them to connect with same resources as in Connect and signpost.
Contact Emergency Services
If their suicide plan is immediate then you should contact Emergency Services by calling 999 and keep yourself safe. After this contact OHPWS to speak to a member of staff. (ggc.OHPWS@nhs.scot)
Please note, this OHPWS is for planned care only, and we are unable to respond immediately.
As their manager you should consider arranging a Management Referral to Occupational Health to establish if there are work related changes that can help.
Training
Suicide prevention training is available. safeTALK – suicide alertness and ASIST – suicide intervention courses are offered via the Learning and Education Service. For more information, please contact Larry Callary at larry.callary@nhs.scot or call 07811 529 620.