Changing the Narrative on Suicide: Addressing the Crisis Among Injured Workers

Suicide is a major public health challenge, with over 700,000 deaths occurring each year globally. Each suicide has far-reaching social, emotional, and economic consequences, deeply affecting individuals, families, and communities worldwide.

The triennial theme for World Suicide Prevention Day (2024-2026) is "Changing the Narrative on Suicide," with a call to action to "Start the Conversation." This theme aims to raise awareness about the importance of reducing stigma and encouraging open discussions to prevent suicides. Changing the narrative on suicide is about transforming how we perceive this complex issue and shifting from a culture of silence and stigma to one of openness, understanding, and support.

In particular, the mental health crisis among patients who have been injured at work and are on workers' compensation needs urgent attention. These individuals often face abnormal and overwhelming stress, isolation, and financial strain due almost entirely to poor claims management at a time of accute personal vulnerability, which can lead to feelings of hopelessness. This is a serious risk factor and needs to be taken equally seriously by policy makers and government. For too long, the struggles of people injured at work have been overlooked and in many regards discounted as the cost of participating in the system.

It is widely accepted that the system sometimes exacerbates rather than alleviates pain and suffering those it 'cares' for. This is just not good enough. Beating up sick people who then have their voices silenced is frankly un Australian. This could be your mother, father, sister, brother, son or daughter. A Royal Commission is the only solution as we have tried inquiries over decades and nothing has changed.

The system itself can take immediate action to encourage everyone to start the conversation on suicide and suicide prevention, with a focus on those vulnerable groups, and including those injured at work in this conversation. Please include how your own staff are feeling about how the system is supporting no one. Every conversation, no matter how small, contributes to a more supportive and understanding society. By initiating these vital discussions, especially about the challenges faced by patients injured at work, we can break down barriers, raise awareness, and create better cultures of support.

This theme also emphasizes the need to prioritize suicide prevention and mental health in policy-making, with a specific call for government action to protect those injured at work. One practical step policy makers can make is to engage with Shattered, the docuseries and understand the lived and living experiences of people who have been injured at work, are ill and vulernable yet are terrorised by a system meant to heal. Things need to change with how this system known as Workers' Compensation is administered.

Changing the narrative requires advocating for policies that prioritize mental health in systems, increase access to care, and provide comprehensive support for those in need, including those navigating the workers' compensation system.

World Suicide Prevention Day (WSPD), established in 2003 by the International Association for Suicide Prevention in conjunction with the World Health Organization (WHO), aims to focus attention on this critical issue. Observed on 10 September each year, it seeks to reduce stigma and raise awareness among organizations, governments, and the public, sending a clear message: suicides are preventable, and we must act now to protect those at risk, including our injured workers.

** Reach out to us if you would like to organise a screening for your team. A license fee applies.