Ben has launched a month-long campaign around suicide prevention, to raise awareness about this difficult topic and highlight that Ben is there for those struggling.
As part of the campaign, support and resources are now available on Ben’s website, as well as online training.
The charity has created a new section of its website dedicated to suicide prevention with information, advice and guidance for individuals at risk of suicide, for those worried about someone and also for employers.
NEW suicide prevention support available here. It includes:
- Content and resources on the topic of suicide prevention
- Downloadable resources and leaflets for individuals and employers
- Contact details so people know where to turn to for further support
- Information about relevant training and services for employers to support their employees
- New real life story about Tracey, who lost her husband to suicide.
According to ONS, in 2021, there were 6,567 deaths by suicide registered in the UK, with males aged between 45-49 as having the highest suicide rate in England and Wales. A total of 126 people reportedly die by suicide in the UK every week, with around 74% of those being male, say ONS.
The automotive industry is male dominated, so there is potentially a greater risk and vulnerability to suicide than in other industries.
Relevant training and services
In addition to providing support for individuals, Ben also works with automotive industry employers to provide the following training and services:
- NEW online Suicide Awareness and Prevention training
- Suicide First Aid through Understanding Suicide Intervention (SFAUSI) course
- Mental Health First Aid course which qualifies participants as Mental Health First Aiders
- Managing Mental Health in the Workplace training
- Urgent response service which offers support for employers with critical incidents that affect employees, including support for suicide.
Rachel Clift, Health & Wellbeing Director at Ben, said: “Research and statistics should give us cause for concern in our industry, coupled with the fact we currently have more people than ever requesting support. This is why it’s crucial to raise awareness about loss of life through suicide, as it’s a difficult topic to broach. We want everyone in our industry to know that Ben is there for them and urge people to get in touch for support if they’re struggling or in crisis.
“If you work, or have worked, in the automotive industry please get in touch now if you don’t feel you can cope or if you’re at breaking point. You can contact our free and confidential helpline.”
Ben is here for those who work, or have worked, in the automotive industry and their family dependents. Don’t struggle alone, contact its helpline: 08081 311 333 or use its webchat at www.ben.org.uk. You can also access Ben’s out of hours text support line by texting BEN to 85258.
