Workplace Bullying is Taking Lives!
SUICIDE PREVENTION
First, our sincere condolences go out to anyone who has lost a loved one or friend due to the abuse of workplace bullying.
Whether or not your leaders are doing anything to create workplace safety, each of you can do something! If you don’t know what to do or who to speak to, we can help you find those answers. Wherever you are in the world, there are networks we can connect you to.
A quick email or call – there is no charge to direct you to support. Please get in touch with someone!
Workplace Bullying Suicide Prevention Recommendations:
Mandatory Trauma-Informed Training: It’s essential to provide trauma-informed training on prevention, intervention, restoration, repair, and recovery practices to leaders, staff, and first-responding professionals. This education helps individuals understand how trauma affects people, how to respond with sensitivity and empathy, and the best next steps, e.g., internal or external workplace resources and recommendations.
Enforce Legislation: Strengthening zero-tolerance and trauma-informed prevention, intervention, and repair legislation will help reduce harm and create a culture that values and respects psychological safety. Effective enforcement mechanisms will hold organizations and individuals accountable for providing trauma-informed support.
Human-Centered Awareness Campaigns: Beyond policies and procedures, campaigns that raise awareness about workplace bullying trauma and its impacts on individuals, groups, client care, overall work environments, and injured workers’ families help reduce stigma and promote understanding. These campaigns should prioritize a compassionate, human-centered approach.
Increased Access to Resources: Make sure that there are accessible and affordable trauma-informed resources that specialize in this type of injury available to all, e.g., suicide prevention lines, anti-bullying hotlines, whistleblower lines, emergency room care, EAP or independent counseling services, support groups, and other mental health services.
Specialized Legal Services: Legal services should be specialized in trauma-informed care, especially when dealing with cases related to psychological injuries from harassment, discrimination, or violence. Funding and affordability measures should be in place to ensure access for all.
Training for Investigators: Investigators handling cases involving harassment, bullying, discrimination, racism, or violence should undergo training in trauma-informed interview practices. This training ensures that they approach cases with sensitivity and understanding and recognize the signs of trauma physiology, e.g., reactions, inactions, memory loss, panic attacks, agitation versus depression.
Promote Sharing and Support: Encourage open discussions, story-sharing, validation of experiences, and the sharing of resources. Sharing promotes a culture of support and empathy where individuals can feel heard and understood. The injuries of this abuse tend to leave people feeling confused, fearful, vulnerable, and anxious. When this occurs, people isolate themselves to Feel safe.
People who feel safe by isolating due to workplace bullying are at risk for suicidal ideation. You want to rest at the end of each day, knowing “in your heart” that you have done all you can. Even a little help goes a long way.
This training aims to reduce the risk of suicide. By implementing such measures, we can all help create a safer and more understanding society.
Linda Crockett MSW, RSW, SEP, CPPA
If you or someone you care about is at risk of self-harm, please contact your/their doctor or local mental health office, go to emergency, or call your distress line. Otherwise, send us an email stating your location, and we will respond as promptly as possible with some resources for you to connect to.
Don’t let those who are abusive be successful in causing you harm. There are solutions – when you are severely distressed, you can’t see them! We can help.