Call for suicide prevention training in all workplaces - NASUWT
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Delegates from NASUWT – The Teachers Union will today call for
suicide prevention training to be introduced in all workplaces.
While suicides are one of the biggest causes of work-related deaths
each year, they are not included in the Health and Safety
Executive's annual reporting or its inspection and protection
regimes. The NASUWT believes this exemption must be removed to help
address the factors behind work-related suicides. At the TUC
Congress in Brighton,...Request free
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Delegates from NASUWT – The Teachers Union will today call for suicide prevention training to be introduced in all workplaces. While suicides are one of the biggest causes of work-related deaths each year, they are not included in the Health and Safety Executive's annual reporting or its inspection and protection regimes. The NASUWT believes this exemption must be removed to help address the factors behind work-related suicides.
At the TUC Congress in Brighton, delegates will hear that the
occupations with the highest risk of suicide and suicide
attempts, include healthcare, education and other public sector
workers. Dr Patrick Roach, NASUWT General Secretary, said: “Nobody should be brought to the brink of ending their own life because of their job.
“Dealing with the legacy of the last 14 years, the new government will need to deliver the new deal for working people and build a workforce plan that will secure decent working conditions and improve morale across all sectors, including education. “The last Conservative Government failed to tackle the mental health crisis. More than that, they deliberately pursued policies that made matters worse – with a lack of investment in essential frontline services and support. This is the change the country voted for. “It is no exaggeration to say that teaching is in the grip of a mental health emergency - the number of teachers having suicidal thoughts and attempting to end their own lives is on the rise. “Ending the climate of excessive working hours, unsustainable workload demands, high-stakes inspection and accountability, pupil violence, and bullying employer practices must be a priority for the new government. But, Ministers must also now act swiftly to secure the social partnership that will ensure that the voice of the education workforce is at the heart of policy making. “Putting worker wellbeing at the heart of the mission of the new government is key to fixing the foundations and building a brighter future for all.” NASUWT National President Rashida Din said: “There can be no doubt that the rapidly rising numbers of suicides and attempts particularly by people within the working age population, particularly amongst healthcare workers, education and other public sector workers constitutes an emergency. “If we are to turn the tide of this Mental Health Emergency, we must campaign for fully funded mandatory mental first aid training that includes suicide prevention.
ENDS Notes to Editors NASUWT President Rashida Din's speech to Congress is below. Congress, President Rashida Din – National President of NASUWT – The Teachers Union moving Motion 44. What a privilege to move this incredible important motion: on suicide prevention and awareness Congress we are in a ‘Mental Health Emergency‘. “Emergency” - I do not use that word lightly. The Cambridge dictionary defines an emergency as: “Something dangerous that happens suddenly or unexpectedly and needs fast action in order to avoid harmful results.” There can be no doubt that the rapidly rising numbers of suicides and attempts particularly by people within the working age population, particularly amongst healthcare workers, education and other public sector workers constitutes an emergency. The recent NASUWT Wellbeing Survey which attracted12,000 responses and found that : 84% have experienced more work related stress in the last 12 months 86% believed that their job impacted their mental health and 68% their physical health 3% say they have self-harmed as result of their work 1 in 5 have taken medication 13% have sought counselling Health and Safety Executive data shows that among women, primary and nursery teachers had the fifth biggest mortality rate from suicide. This is a Mental Health Emergency OFSTED has quite rightly faced greater scrutiny since the suicide of Headteacher Ruth Perry. At her inquest a coroner ruled that OFSTED inspection ‘contributed' and warned of further risks unless action was taken. What a relief the one word judgements have now gone from inspections, about time! Victory for NASUWT and other education unions. We passed a motion unanimously on the emergency we face on the rise of suicides and suicidal thoughts at our national conference this year. The conference heard incredibly powerful testimony from members: “the pressures of the job are increasing the number of teachers experiencing poor mental health in my school' “we are being failed and we work need to work together to protect ourselves” “Too many teachers are having their health destroyed and while other teachers leave the profession to save their sanity”. All of this is backdrop of a teacher recruitment and retention crisis This picture will be no doubt be mirrored across many sectors. If we are to turn the tide of this Mental Health Emergency, we must campaign for fully funded mandatory mental first aid training that includes suicide prevention.
This Mental Health Emergency needs fast action in order to avoid harmful results. Congress we must make it so. Congress, I move. Solidarity. The NASUWT motion to Congress is below: Congress notes with alarm the rising number of suicides and suicide attempts, particularly by people within the working age population. Congress further notes with concern that the occupations with the highest risk of suicide and suicide attempts, include health care, education and other public sector workers. Congress is deeply alarmed at the survey results of NASUWT members that shows teaching had adversely affected their mental health and that the pressures of the job is leading to a mental health emergency within the profession. Congress asserts that the mental health and wellbeing of workers across all sectors are critical factors of a productive and healthy workforce. Congress therefore believes that unions have a critical role to play in advocating for effective strategies and support systems that address suicide prevention and awareness in the workplace. Congress calls on the TUC to:
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