The #TalkSuicide campaign is a suicide prevention campaign from the Humber, Coast and Vale Health and Care Partnership. Its aim is to improve support for those struggling with suicidal thoughts and behaviours by raising awareness of free suicide prevention training and tackling the stigma around talking about suicide.
Over 200 employees at the Bradbury Group will now be able to learn lifesaving skills from the training. These include being able to identify the signs when someone might be feeling suicidal and how to offer the correct support by having a supportive conversation about suicide.
The latest statistics from the ONS show that there were 5821 suicides in the UK in 2017, and male suicides account for over three quarters of these. Suicide rates in the skilled trades sector, most commonly associated with careers in manufacturing and construction, are above the national average in comparison to other occupations.
These latest statistics, obtained from the ONS for selected manufacturing related occupations in 2017, show that there were 65 recorded suicides in metal machining, fitting and instrument making; 28 recorded suicides in metal forming, welding and related trades; and 15 recorded suicides from production managers and directors in manufacturing. From 2011-2015 there were 942[3] recorded suicides in the skilled metal, electronical and electric trades. 312 of these suicides were in metal machining, fitting and instrument making.
Following the introduction of this training into their brand-new facility and throughout their UK operations, Bradbury Group will roll out a number of new initiatives over the coming months to ensure the health and wellbeing of their employees, throughout each individual’s career within the Group, is a top priority at every level of the organisation.
Tim Strawson, managing director at Bradbury Group, said: “We want every single staff member at Bradbury Group to feel comfortable in having conversations about mental health. The introduction of this suicide prevention training is only the start and will be proceeded by a number of new initiatives over the coming months. Regard for the health and wellbeing of our employees is at the heart of how we work as a business, so we are committed to ensuring Bradbury always remains a positive and supportive working environment.
“Suicide is the single biggest killer of men under 45 and a life is lost through suicide every two hours. It’s important that, as employers, we do what we can to address these statistics. We’ve introduced the suicide prevention training so our staff are able to recognise when someone they know might be feeling suicidal and feel confident in having a conversation to support individuals opening up about how they’re feeling. They will also feel more able signpost to the professional services in the area.”
Any businesses wanting to learn more about the #TalkSuicide campaign, and the suicide prevention training should visit www.talksuicide.co.uk
