When I started this company six years ago, all of our work was in the customer service industry and focussed on two key areas - de-escalation and personal resilience. As the world evolved, so did the needs of our clients, they wanted a greater focus on emotional support for the wellbeing of their staff.
In the last three years, the focus for our clients moved more and more towards supporting staff and their clients who were facing tougher times. Anxiety, depression, and suicide (sadly) was increasing and becoming a genuine concern. Given my previous role, we were more than happy to assist by providing solutions on ways to manage people who are struggling with suicidal thoughts.
Our fear, given the recent pandemic having an impact on most of us, is that this increasing trend may become a spike in the coming months.
Remaining abreast of trends is important for all businesses, none more so than those who are involved in health and wellbeing. Statistics form a major part of identifying trends as we all have seen recently with the response to COVID-19. Governments around the world use, or in some countries stopped using, statistics to guide them with their decision making.
Just as the information that we rely on when making decisions, statistics must be gathered from reputable and validated sources. Most importantly, they must be current if they are to accurately determine trends and assist in finding solutions.
In providing support to organisations who are dealing with suicidal clients and staff, we use both statistics and anecdotal evidence. Why anecdotal evidence, because the accurate statistics are too slow therefore can't determine trends. Prevention requires prediction.
We are being told that businesses must become more agile, learn to pivot, become more nimble, and the many other catch-words used to describe how we should adapt to our changing environment.
Why then, when it comes to suicide statistics, can't our government agencies become more agile, to pivot, or to be nimbler?
Having worked in the Coroner's office, I get it that a formal determination of suicide cannot be made until after the hearing. However, given there can be a lag between the death and the hearing, we are left with a statistical void. The numbers at the time of reading are inaccurate as a result therefore trends will reflect that void. This is unsafe.
I ponder, if the current procedure is to remain, is it possible to have a 'pending' statistic just like we do for the pandemic?
Playing on our minds lately has been the noticeable increase in the number of people reaching out directly who are struggling with suicidal thoughts. Additionally, having just spent the last few weeks reaching out to our clients to see how they have been faring, many share an anecdote of people they are aware of who have committed suicide. Anecdotally, they are business owners.
Searching for statistics to see if this perceived increase in suicide amongst small to medium business owners might be a growing trend has been fruitless as current numbers aren't available!
As small to medium business owners struggle to remain afloat, with unemployment expected to increase, and with an environment of continued uncertainty into the future, the risk factors are high for a spike in suicide. Yet, we have no way of truly knowing without accurate statistics.
If you are reading this post and are in a position where you need help and support, please get in touch with the many services available. If you are truly struggling, I implore you to please seek professional help from your doctor or from a help line. We are also here if you feel that we might be able help you in some way because we stand with you as a small business. And, we will do so at no cost.
Know this, you will get through this and we will get through this. Together.
Let's talk!