Death and Grief Can Find Us in the Workplace, Too

While many were feverishly wrapping up their end-of-year work to-do lists and last-minute holiday shopping, others were struggling in silence.

Take the unexpected and shocking suicide of beloved TV host, DJ and dancer, Stephen “tWitch” Boss, just a few weeks ago. After leaving his car at home and switching his phone to airplane mode, his body was later discovered at a nearby motel by a staff member.

While his family – his wife and three children along with his mother and other close relatives – mourns the loss of a husband, father and son, the devastating impact of his suicide ripples far and wide through his workplace.

It’s not often talked about, but colleagues and employers can find themselves shaken by a dear coworker’s suicide. For staffers on Ellen and viewers across the world, the joy tWitch brought is irreplaceable.

For leaders in the workplace and their teams, these tragic situations can be especially difficult to navigate.?

But no matter the difficulty, suicide is not a topic employers should brush under the rug. The Bureau of Labor Statistics has shared that suicides in the workplace are up 39% in the past 20 years.?

And while tWitch didn’t lose his life at work, conversations surrounding suicide risk and prevention with employees are long overdue.

In fact, as the generational makeup of employees shifts toward millennials and Gen Zers, the spotlight is on corporations to make mental health discussions a non-negotiable part of the workplace.

According to a Forbes health study conducted in November 2022, more than 1,000 adults, millennials and Gen Zers said improving their mental health is their top resolution for 2023.

Translation? There is no advancing in the workplace without prioritizing mental health. And with suicides and other mental health crises on the rise, there is no time to waste.?

Here are three ways you can lead your team through their grief after a coworker has passed and bring awareness to suicide prevention for the future:

Allow Space for Processing

Be mindful of the language used to communicate an employee’s death. Suicide is still stigmatized so avoid terminology that implies the suicide was “successful” or words such as “committed” which suggests that suicide is a crime.?

Instead, focus on how employees can safely process their grief.?

Educate Staff on Available Mental Health Resources

Many employees may not know what to do or where to go after learning a coworker has ended their life. It’s your job as a leader to provide information about available resources to help workers process their grief.

Draft internal communications that commemorate and honor the coworker who is no longer with the team while also sharing hotline and crisis numbers as well as mental health resources, such as employee assistance programs (EAPs).?

Host an Employee Wellness & Mental Health Workshop

As a certified life and business coach and licensed mental health therapist (psychotherapist) who’s worked with dozens of organizations to create wellness resources for their employees, I’ve seen firsthand just how life-changing opening up the conversation around mental health at work can be.?

The time for action is now – not after an employee has ended their own life. Gone are the days when it was acceptable for organizations to turn a blind eye to this sort of tragedy.?

If you’re ready to prioritize your employees’ mental health, book a discovery call here to discover how I can educate your staff through wellness workshops.?#suicideprevention #StephentWitchboss #ellendegeneres #employeehealthandwellness