A workplace guide to compassionate intervention, safety, and ongoing support

WORKPLACE — Few conversations feel as daunting as those involving suicide. When a colleague reveals they’re considering ending their life—or when you suspect they might be—fear, uncertainty, and anxiety about saying the wrong thing can paralyze even well-intentioned coworkers. Yet in that moment, your response can make the difference between life and death .

Suicidal thoughts affect people across all demographics, professions, and backgrounds. In any given year, millions of people experience suicidal ideation, and many of them are sitting beside us at work. The workplace, where we spend one-third of our lives, can be either a place of additional isolation or a critical source of connection and support .

Here are ten ways to support colleagues experiencing suicidal thoughts—from recognizing warning signs to providing ongoing support through recovery.

1. Learn to Recognize Warning Signs

Early recognition creates opportunities for early intervention. While not everyone shows warning signs, many people exhibit changes before a suicide attempt. Be attentive to:

Verbal warnings:

• Talking about wanting to die or kill themselves
• Expressing hopelessness about the future
• Saying they have no reason to live
• Talking about being a burden to others
• Mentioning feeling trapped or in unbearable pain
• Saying goodbye to people as if final

Behavioral changes:

• Withdrawal from colleagues and social interactions
• Increased use of alcohol or drugs
• Giving away prized possessions
• Researching suicide methods online
• Sudden calmness after period of depression (may indicate decision made)
• Unexplained anger, irritability, or agitation

Workplace-specific signs:

• Decline in performance or attendance
• Unusual mistakes or difficulty concentrating
• Coming in early/staying late excessively (avoiding home)
• Extreme reactions to criticism or setbacks

These signs don’t definitively indicate suicidal thoughts, but they warrant attention and caring inquiry .

2. Create Safety for Disclosure

People rarely announce suicidal thoughts unprompted. They test waters first—hinting, expressing despair, seeing how others respond. You can create conditions where disclosure feels possible by:

• Building trust through consistent, non-judgmental presence
• Asking directly about wellbeing: “How are you really doing?”
• Normalizing struggles: “Everyone goes through difficult times.”
• Responding calmly when someone shares distress (not panicking or avoiding)
• Maintaining confidentiality scrupulously
• Following up consistently over time

When someone senses you’re safe, they’re more likely to share what they’re actually experiencing .

3. Ask Directly About Suicide

The single most important thing you can do if you’re concerned about someone is ask directly about suicide. This is the most feared question—and the most essential.

How to ask:

• “Sometimes when people feel the way you’re describing, they think about suicide. Are you having thoughts of ending your life?”
• “I care about you, and I’m wondering if you’re having thoughts of suicide.”
• “When you talk about feeling hopeless, I worry. Are you thinking about killing yourself?”

What asking accomplishes:

• It shows you truly see their pain
• It gives permission to speak openly
• It provides relief—carrying suicidal thoughts alone is agonizing
• It helps you understand the level of risk

Common fears addressed:

• “Asking will put the idea in their head.” Research shows asking does not increase suicidal thoughts and often reduces them by demonstrating care.
• “I might be wrong and offend them.” It’s better to risk a moment of awkwardness than to miss an opportunity to save a life.
• “I won’t know what to do if they say yes.” You don’t need all the answers—you just need to stay with them and connect them to help .

4. Listen Without Judgment

If a colleague shares suicidal thoughts with you, how you listen in those first moments matters enormously:

Do:

• Stay calm and present
• Take them seriously—every expression of suicidal thoughts deserves attention
• Thank them for trusting you
• Believe what they’re telling you about their pain
• Allow them to express difficult emotions without trying to fix them
• Validate their feelings: “That sounds unbearably painful. I’m so sorry you’re going through this.”

Don’t:

• Panic, gasp, or show visible shock
• Minimize: “You don’t really mean that.”
• Offer platitudes: “Think of all you have to live for.”
• Argue about whether life is worth living
• Make it about you: “How could you do this to me?”
• Try to solve everything in one conversation

Your presence in this moment—steady, accepting, and caring—is itself powerful intervention .

5. Stay With Them and Ensure Immediate Safety

If a colleague is actively suicidal, their immediate safety is the priority:

Immediate steps:

• Do not leave them alone if they are at imminent risk
• Remove access to means if possible and safe (medications, weapons)
• Stay with them until professional help arrives or they’re connected to support
• Ask: “Do you have a plan? Do you have access to what you would use?”
• Call a crisis line together for guidance
• If risk is imminent, accompany them to emergency services

Escalation resources:

• Call emergency services (000 in Australia, 911 in US, 999 in UK) if life is in immediate danger
• Contact their emergency contact if appropriate and with their knowledge where possible
• Use crisis text lines if speaking feels too hard

Remember: it’s better to overreact to safety than underreact. Brief awkwardness is preferable to funeral arrangements .

6. Connect Them to Professional Help

Your role is not to be the sole support but to bridge them to appropriate professional help:

Workplace resources:

• Employee Assistance Program (EAP) – often provides immediate counseling
• HR – can advise on leave options and accommodations
• Workplace mental health first aiders or wellbeing officers

Community resources:

• Crisis hotlines (available 24/7)
• Mental health services
• Their regular doctor or psychiatrist
• Hospital emergency departments for immediate crisis

How to help:

• Offer to stay with them while they call
• Help research resources if they’re overwhelmed
• Accompany them to appointments if appropriate
• Follow up to ensure they connected with help

Keep crisis numbers accessible:

Australia:

• Lifeline: 13 11 14 (24/7 crisis support)
• Suicide Call Back Service: 1300 659 467
• Beyond Blue: 1300 22 4636
• Emergency: 000

International:

• US National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 988
• UK Samaritans: 116 123
• International Association for Suicide Prevention: provides global resources

7. Maintain Confidentiality With Clear Boundaries

Confidentiality is crucial—but so is safety. This creates complex territory:

What to keep confidential:

• Personal details they’ve shared
• The content of your conversations
• That they’re struggling (unless safety requires disclosure)

When confidentiality must be breached:

• If they’re at imminent risk of harming themselves
• If they’ve disclosed a specific plan with means and timeline
• If they’re unable or unwilling to keep themselves safe

How to breach respectfully:

• Be transparent: “I’m concerned about your safety, and I need to bring someone else in to help. I won’t keep this secret because I care about you too much to risk your life.”
• Involve them where possible: “Would you prefer we call your therapist together, or would you rather I speak with HR first?”
• Tell them who you’re telling and why

Safety trumps confidentiality when life is at stake .

8. Support Their Return and Ongoing Recovery

Suicidal crises don’t resolve overnight. Recovery takes time, and workplace support through this process matters enormously:

During leave (if they take time off):

• Send occasional, low-pressure check-ins: “Thinking of you. No need to reply.”
• Ensure they know they’re missed and valued
• Respect their need for space while maintaining connection
• Coordinate with HR about appropriate contact during leave

Upon return:

• Welcome them back warmly without making a fuss
• Don’t expect them to be “fixed” or completely recovered
• Allow them to ease back into full responsibilities
• Check in regularly about how they’re managing
• Maintain confidentiality about their absence

Ongoing:

• Continue regular, caring check-ins
• Notice if they seem to be declining again
• Remember significant dates (anniversary of crisis, etc.)
• Maintain the same warmth and inclusion you always have

Long-term support matters as much as crisis intervention .

9. Take Care of Yourself

Supporting someone through suicidal crisis is emotionally demanding. You cannot pour from an empty cup:

What you need:

• Your own support system—people you can talk to (without breaching confidentiality)
• Supervision or guidance if you’re in a support role
• Boundaries—you can support without becoming responsible for someone’s life
• Recognition of your limits—you’re a colleague, not a therapist
• Time to process your own feelings

Signs you need support:

• Difficulty sleeping or intrusive thoughts about the situation
• Feeling responsible for the outcome
• Exhaustion or burnout
• Your own mental health suffering

Resources for supporters:

• StandBy Support After Suicide (for those affected by suicide)
• Your own EAP or counseling
• Peer support groups
• Supervision if in formal support role

Supporting someone through suicidal crisis is noble work—but it takes a toll. Honor that by caring for yourself .

10. Advocate for Systemic Workplace Suicide Prevention

Individual support matters, but systemic change creates environments where fewer people reach crisis:

Workplace prevention strategies:

• Regular mental health training for all staff
• Suicide prevention training for managers and HR
• Clear policies supporting mental health leave and accommodations
• Accessible EAP services with crisis support
• Mental health first aiders in every department
• Cultures where vulnerability is met with support, not punishment
• Workload management that prevents chronic stress
• Leadership modeling of help-seeking behavior

Advocacy actions:

• Ask HR about suicide prevention training
• Suggest including crisis resources in induction materials
• Normalize conversations about mental health
• Support colleague wellbeing initiatives
• Share resources (appropriately) in team communications

When workplaces take suicide prevention seriously, they save lives—often before anyone reaches crisis .

What to Avoid: Potentially Harmful Responses

Even with good intentions, certain responses can cause harm:

• Arguing: “You have so much to live for!” (dismisses their pain)
• Shaming: “How could you even think that?” (increases isolation)
• Bargaining: “Promise me you won’t do anything.” (may drive disclosure underground)
• Over-functioning: Trying to be their only support
• Avoiding: Pulling away because you’re uncomfortable
• Gossiping: Discussing with other colleagues
• Over-spiritualizing: “Just pray about it.” (may feel dismissive)
• Minimizing: “It’s not that bad.” (invalidates their experience)

When unsure, return to presence: “I’m here. I care. We’ll get through this together.”

Understanding Your Role and Limits

Supporting a colleague with suicidal thoughts involves holding two truths simultaneously:

You matter. Your presence, care, and willingness to ask hard questions can save a life. Never underestimate the power of one person who truly sees another.

You are not responsible for their life. You can support, connect, and care—but you cannot control outcomes. If the worst happens despite your best efforts, that is not your failure. Suicide is complex, and even professionals lose people they’ve worked with for years.

The Power of Connection

At its core, suicide is about pain so overwhelming that death seems the only escape. Connection—feeling seen, valued, and not alone—is the most powerful antidote.

By showing up for colleagues in their darkest moments, you offer something irreplaceable: evidence that they matter, that someone sees their pain and isn’t running away, that they’re not alone in a universe that feels unbearably lonely.

One conversation can change everything. One person asking “Are you thinking about suicide?” can open a door to help. One colleague saying “I’m here, I care, let’s get through this together” can tip the balance from despair toward hope.

If you’re supporting someone through suicidal crisis, remember: you don’t need all the answers. You just need to stay present, connect them to help, and remind them—through words and presence—that their life matters.

If you’re reading this and struggling with suicidal thoughts yourself: Please reach out. Call a crisis line, tell someone you trust, go to an emergency room. The pain you’re feeling is real, and so is the possibility of things getting better. You deserve support, and people want to help. You are not alone.