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To mark World Suicide Prevention Day, 10 September 2025, we have published new data on suicide prevention and support at work (1). Our research reveals that 74% of UK adults say they would ask a colleague if they were worried that their colleague might be having thoughts of suicide. Despite this, only 40% would feel comfortable talking about suicide with a colleague.
Younger employees were most likely to ask a colleague about suicide. Over eight in ten (82%) of 18–24-year-olds, and more than three-quarters (77%) of 25–34 year-olds said they would do so. This drops to around two-thirds (67%) among those aged 55–64, and 60% for those over 65.
When asked how comfortable or uncomfortable they would feel talking to a colleague about suicide, younger people were also more comfortable. Nearly half (46%) of 18-24 year olds would be comfortable, compared to around a third (34%) for those aged 45-54.
These figures suggest younger people are more open to having life-saving conversations, but still face the same confidence gap seen across all age groups.
This disparity sits at the heart of this year’s theme for World Suicide Prevention Day: ‘Changing the narrative.’ The findings highlight that while the majority of people care and want to help, many remain unsure of how, or whether, to act.
Our Chief Executive, Sarah McIntosh says,
“This research tells us something vital. It’s not a lack of compassion that holds people back, it’s a lack of comfort, confidence, clarity and sometimes permission. Changing the narrative means making suicide something we can talk about safely, in the workplace and beyond, not something to fear or avoid.”
The study also shows that 11% of people said they didn’t know what they would do, and 9% admitted they probably or definitely wouldn’t ask. The reasons behind this hesitation are concerning.
52% of respondents said they lacked the confidence or skills to ask someone directly about suicide
Over 43% said they would be worried about how the person might react
Nearly 29% feared that asking might, “put the idea in their head”. This is an enduring and dangerous myth
Others expressed discomfort, uncertainty, or a belief that suicide was not something to talk about at work
These findings are further reinforced by a broader picture of workplace culture. Just 37% of respondents said suicide prevention was part of their employer’s mental health and wellbeing strategy. And while nearly two-thirds (65%) felt confident signposting someone to support, roughly one in three said they would know where to direct a colleague in need.
Sarah continues,
“Suicide prevention must be embedded into an organisation’s mental health and wellbeing strategy. It requires a considered, proactive approach. This means ensuring it is reflected in culture, policy, and in the way conversations and decisions are shaped across the organisation. It should be led from the top and supported at every level.”
The research also explores how people talk about suicide. Over half of respondents (59%) said they would use the phrase “took their own life”, while 48% still use the outdated and stigmatising term “committed suicide.” Only 14% said they would use the phrase “died by suicide”. This is the language most widely recommended by mental health professionals.
When asked what would make the biggest difference in reducing suicide at work, respondents pointed to practical, accessible support including access to confidential mental health services, training for managers, and wider education on suicide prevention. Mental Health First Aiders, peer-to-peer support, and normalising conversations about suicide were also cited as essential steps.
Speak to our workplace team to find out more
Alongside our mental health training, consultancy and guidance, MHFA England now also offer specialist suicide prevention training in partnership with Junah Ltd.
Learn more about Suicide Prevention for Organisations
Julie Castleman, MHFA England National Trainer and Director at Junah says,
“You don’t need to be a mental health expert to make a difference. You just need to be ready to ask, to listen, to respond with care and signpost. That’s how we change the narrative. That’s how we save lives.”
Discover how training enables supportive conversations
Fellow MHFA England Instructor Member and Junah Director, Hannah Buckland says,
“It’s brilliant to see that younger people feel more able to ask the question if they’re worried about someone’s mental health or thoughts of suicide. So often we hear unfair criticisms about our younger generation being ‘too sensitive,’ but this data shows that sensitivity can be a strength.”
To empower everyone to feel confident in having supportive conversations around poor mental health and suicide, we have developed three resources:
‘The five pillars of suicide prevention’ offers advice and guidance on how to tackle suicide prevention and provide support in your workplace
‘Let’s talk’ helps you and your colleagues become more suicide aware. It gives advice on how to support someone experiencing suicide thoughts or behaviour
‘For me’ provides advice and guidance on how to look after yourself after having a conversation about poor mental health and suicide
Contact our workplace team to find out more about the training and support we offer.
Sources
The research was undertaken by One Poll for MHFA England between 22 July – 28 July 2025 with a nationally representative sample of 2,000 working UK adults