StandBy releases toolkit to support workplace managers following a public suicide

A new toolkit is available to support business managers in the event of a public death by suicide at a site they are responsible for.

StandBy’s Support After Suicide Toolkit: Postvention Response for Site Owners and Leadership helps business leaders make decisions that will guide a safe and prompt response to an incident on their site, and support those who are impacted by the death. The toolkit can also be used by staff and witnesses who may be impacted by a suicide in a public location.

Developed in conjunction with Lifeline Australia, the toolkit provides:

• A decision making flowchart that is intended to complement existing workplace protocols, and steps through an emergency process from the point immediately following the incident;
• Guidance for users from the initial call to 000, to putting safety measures in place, starting the immediate postvention response and providing support in the first 24-48 hours, 1-2 weeks, and long term;
• Education on safe language, such as links to Mindframe guidelines and advice on dealing with the media.

The Support After Suicide Toolkit was developed incorporating the voice of lived experience, and community consultation across known public suicide locations throughout Australia, to better understand the needs of those impacted and bereaved by suicide and help prevent further harm.

StandBy General Manager Karen Phillips says, “providing access to help-seeking information for people impacted by suicide is an important role that StandBy has a part to play.

"The StandBy Support after Suicide Toolkit is the first of its kind in Australia and is an excellent resource to complement other existing StandBy resources."