Supporting an employee in crisis

If a coworker is struggling with their mental health and/or you are concerned they are thinking about suicide, follow these steps to help keep them safe, protect their privacy and provide support.

  1. Keep them safe: Walk with your coworker to a safe space to talk.
  2. Ask and listen: “I’m worried about you, and I’m glad we can talk. Are you thinking about hurting yourself or suicide?
  3. Connect to 988: “Can we call or text 988 together for support? Or would you like to call or text 988 while I wait here?” – Stay nearby or within view, while offering privacy
    1. Call or text 988 for 24/7 support
    2. Chat online
  4. Follow up: “Who else can I call to be there for you today?” – Ask them who you can contact on their behalf for support (a family member, friend or emergency contact)

Watch this video for expert insights and practical tips to put these steps into action.

Note: If an employee is having a medical emergency/actively planning suicide and they refuse to contact 988, call 911. Stay with the employee until help arrives.

Note

If an employee is having a medical emergency/actively planning suicide and they refuse to contact 988, call 911. Stay with the employee until help arrives.

Warning Signs of Suicide

Use the “I GET HELP” acronym to identify potential warning signs for suicide.

  • Isolation
  • Giving things away/saying goodbye
  • Excessive use of drugs/alcohol
  • Talking or thinking about suicide
  • Hopelessness
  • Emotional/physical pain
  • Lonely/feeling like a burden
  • Planning for suicide

Checking in

Check back in with an employee or friend who may be struggling using these talking points.

  • You haven’t seemed yourself lately, are you ok? I’m here to listen.
  • How are you…really?
  • How long have you felt like this?
  • How are you coping with what has been going on in your life?
  • Can you think of anything I could do to help you?
  • Have you thought about getting help?
  • Do you ever think about suicide?
  • Are you thinking about hurting yourself?

For Health System Leaders

  1. If you are a health system leader, use the steps above to support employees who may be exhibiting warning signs of suicide.
  2. Following the event, notify your department’s Employee Relations Consultant as soon as possible by contacting the HR Support Center at 913-945-6500 or AskHR@kumc.edu.
    • If the employee in crisis will be taking a leave of absence, contact The Hartford at 866-315-0809 (Policy 675446), Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. (CST).
  3. Depending on the circumstances, tap into resources to help you process the event and tend to your own mental health, support other staff members or dispel rumors following the situation. Use our Employee Assistance Program (EAP) to connect staff with confidential professional counseling, education and other resources at no cost to them.
    • EAP for health system employees: ComPsych, the health system’s EAP provider, is available to support your team after a traumatic event (death, violence, suicide attempt, workplace accident, etc.) with on-site or virtual group counseling through their Critical Incident Stress Management team. To request group support, call 855-784-2052 and notify the Benefits team at BenefitsConnection@kumc.edu.
    • EAP for physicians

Mental Health Resource Guide