BSI launches new suicide awareness standard

The British Standards Institute (BSI) published its latest standard, BS30480, which is designed to provide comprehensive guidelines to help organisations plan for, and support people impacted by, suicide while in work.

It comes as recent statistics from regulator the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) found as many as half of the 1.7 million workers reported as suffering from ill health in the last year identified as having depression, anxiety or work-related stress disorders. These figures do not include suicides.

Research by the BSI found one in four adults has had instances of suicide ideation, with one in 13 having attempted it. It is estimated that each death by suicide will have a direct or indirect impact on more than 135 people, from family to colleagues, clients and communities.

Jon Cowlan, a health and safety expert with Pinsent Masons, explained that with suicide instances impacting on so many workplaces – either directly, or through the provision of support to someone who has or who has had a mental health crisis - it was important for all business leaders to take note of the new standard.

“This British Standard is more than a management framework,” he warned.

“The annexes provide practical toolkits and checklists which reflect the need for co-ordination between HR practitioners, health and safety professionals, and line managers. But the success of the new standard is also dependent on employers and staff alike buying in to the guidance it provides and committing to its aims.”

The new standard looks to provide organisations with practical and evidence-based recommendations, acknowledging that disordered mental health risks can and do exist inside the workplace, and aims to encourage both HR and health and safety professionals to collaborate within a common framework for addressing and dealing with the issue where needed.

It also looks at how organisations should respond after an instance of suicide in terms of providing support action and accountability.

The HSE has been working to raise awareness of mental health issues and encourage support among employers including via its Working Minds campaign, with half of its inspections last year targeting health management.

The regulator has identified work-related stress – which can precede suicide ideation – as one of its key priorities. 

“The standard brings together expert insight, lived experience, and practical guidance,” said the BSI’s director of standards development Anne Hayes.

“It is designed to not only raise awareness but also give organisations the tools they need to reduce risk, intervene effectively, and support those affected by suicide, or having thoughts about suicide, with dignity and sensitivity. We hope this will encourage open conversations, reduce stigma, and ultimately help to save lives across every sector.”