Free Prevention Services
Available to NYC Businesses
With the goal of improving NYC businesses’ ability to respond to people in crisis, the NYS Office of Mental Health has contracted the Samaritans of New York—which operates NYC’s 24-hour suicide prevention hotline—to provide free education and technical support.
Since an estimated 7% of the American workforce battles depression (the leading cause of suicide), NYC businesses are positioned to help many thousands of employees who are in crisis, and prevent a potentially destructive situation from escalating and damaging that person, their colleagues and workplace…
Remember: Most People Who
Need Help, Do Not Ask For It!
There are many reasons people do not seek help. It can be because of shame, fear of losing their job, concerns about status, promotion, the stigma that being depressed or mentally ill has to the public.
- Over 54 million Americans have a mental disorder in any given year though fewer than 8 million seek help.
- A study found that even in businesses with EAPs only 14% of the employees with depression ever access them.
Since the majority of people who need help do not seek it, businesses have to be proactive—provide more education, training and resources to help employees help themselves.
Who’s At Risk For Suicide
People of every age, race and socio-economic level commit suicide. Suicide is the…
- 2nd leading cause of death for men 25-34
- 4th leading cause of death for men 35-54
- 8th leading cause of death for men 45-54
- 3rd leading cause of death for women 15-24
- 4th leading cause of death for women 25-44
- 8th leading cause of death for women 45-54
US Centers for Disease Control
Promoting Suicide Prevention Is Good Business—And It Saves You Money!
Every CEO, every Executive, every member of upper management knows that it is good business to support and promote your employees health and well-being. It impacts employee morale and job satisfaction, increases their performance, productivity and provides a positive public corporate image.
When you consider the human and economic cost suicide has on American businesses, it becomes clear that increasing your crisis response planning will positively impact your bottom line.
Addressing Depression Increases Productivity
Businesses that make suicide prevention a priority increase their efficiency and productivity while reducing absenteeism, loss of work and costs tied to disability and workman’s compensation.
The facts are clear:
“Enhanced and systematic efforts to identify and treat depression in the workplace significantly improves employee health and productivity, likely leading to lower costs overall for the employer.”
The Journal of the American Medical Association (NIMH, 2007)
Your Business Is More Exposed Than You Think
Many CEO’s, Board Members and Executives have a false sense of security when it comes to their belief of how effective their businesses are in identifying and responding to those employees who are depressed or in crisis.
Though they may provide their employees with comprehensive benefits packages and a qualified Employee Assistance Program (EAP), research suggests corporations are not identifying and/or responding to the majority of their employees who are depressed or suicidal.
Consider these findings by the University of Michigan Depression Center, supported by Eli Lilly and Company…
Download PDF—“Research Measures the Impact Depression Has on the Workplace”
Look At The Percentage Of Workers In Your Industry That Experience Depression
Depression among adults employed full-time by occupational category, data from Substance Abuse Mental Health Services Administration, 2007
Experts Speak On Suicide And The Economy
Read what noted national experts have to say about the connection between business, finance, depression and suicide.
“Financial crises that affect individuals certainly can act as triggering factors for suicide attempts.”
David Litts, Associate Director of Prevention
Practice, Suicide Prevention Resource Center
“Any time there is a significant life stress that threatens the everyday functioning of an individual and their ability to cope there is always an increase in the risk of suicidal thinking and behavior.”
Dr. Lanny Berman, Executive Director,
American Association of Suicidology
