World Suicide Prevention Day is on 10 September. Suicide is the single biggest killer of men under the age of 45, so the Electrical Industries Charity (EIC) believes it’s hugely important that we eliminate the stigma surrounding mental health in our industry.
The EIC is teaming up with ANDYSMANCLUB to offer a Wellbeing Talk on Suicide Prevention. Together, their aim is to reduce the stigma and create safe, judgement-free spaces for men to be open about the storms affecting their lives.
This month’s talk is designed to be free of pressure and there is no obligation to speak if you do not feel comfortable – you’re welcome to simply listen and learn.
You can tune into this wellbeing talk on Wednesday, 3 September from 12pm to 1pm.
ANDYSMANCLUB offers weekly, free-to-attend, peer-to-peer support groups for men aged over 18 and focus on raising awareness and spreading the word to as many people as possible.
What you can do to help
Listen non-judgementally:
When someone talks about their difficulties, it can be tempting to offer immediate solutions or try to lighten the mood. But in these moments, the most important thing is to provide sympathetic, non-judgemental support.
Actively listening:
Sometimes people just need to be heard. Simply giving our full attention and listening can stop people from feeling isolated and can give opportunities for emotional release. Unhurried listening also builds trust – so let them talk at their own pace.
Signposting:
If someone is feeling suicidal, it can help to direct them to professionals, people who are trained to deal with suicidal thoughts. The first steps are often to seek advice from a GP. However, there are also alternatives such as The Hub of Hope, CALM, and The Samaritans.
The EIC offers counselling services to anyone in our industry who is experiencing suicidal thoughts or who has been bereaved by suicide.
You can read more about suicide prevention here.
Contacts
If you or someone you know is affected, please don’t hesitate to reach out via EIC’s helpline on 0800 652 1618 or by emailing at support@electricalcharity.org .
For general information, please contact their fundraising team directly by calling 020 3696 1710 or by emailing at fundraising@electricalcharity.org .
For more from the Electrical Industries Charity (EIC), click here.