Standard dedicated to addressing risk of suicide launched

CHARITIES AND mental health campaigners including Mind and Mental Health First Aid England have welcomed as ‘an important step forward’ the publication of BS 30480, the UK’s first British standard dedicated to addressing the risk of suicide and its impact in the workplace.

The standard, informed by research, data, and lived experience, and published by BSI as the UK national standards body, aims to provide organisations with practical and evidence-based recommendations to help plan for, respond to, and support people affected by suicide or those with thoughts of suicide in the workplace and beyond.

Research shows one in four adults has contemplated suicide and one in 13 has attempted it¹. For every suicide death, at least 135 people including colleagues, clients, and communities alike are directly or indirectly affected². This means suicide touches nearly every workplace at some point, whether through the loss of a colleague, supporting someone in crisis, or managing the complex emotional and operational aftermath. Yet organisations are not necessarily equipped to address this issue openly and effectively. 

The world’s first standard on suicide awareness, Suicide and the workplace – Intervention, prevention and support for people affected by suicide – Guide (BS 30480) is free to download and offers clear guidance for organisations of all sizes and sectors, including public bodies, charities, social enterprises, businesses, and commercial enterprises. BSI brought a large group of stakeholders across society together to develop this standard, including representatives from organisations including the Department for Health and Social Care, Mates in Mind and the Samaritans.

The standard provides comprehensive guidance to help organisations effectively prevent and respond to suicide risk. This includes support for developing clear, effective policies and offers practical advice on identifying warning signs and addressing suicidal thoughts or behaviours. It outlines how to ask about suicide in a safe, direct way, as well as how to create individual safety plans tailored to those at risk. Guidance is also provided on sensitive communication with individuals affected by suicide, including handling media enquiries appropriately. Organisations are advised on when to seek specialist advice and how to commission suitable suicide prevention training. Additionally, the standard includes dedicated toolkits for human resources and line managers, ensuring a consistent, informed approach across all levels of the organisation.

Anne Hayes, director of sectors and standards development at BSI said: “The publication of the world’s first standard on suicide and the workplace represents a significant milestone in our approach to supporting mental health and well-being at work. Until now, suicide has been an often-overlooked issue within organisations, which could mean missed opportunities for prevention and support. This standard provides a much-needed framework to empower employers and leaders to take meaningful action and help them build safe, compassionate workplaces where people feel supported and valued.

“The standard brings together expert insight, lived experience, and practical guidance. It is designed to not only raise awareness but also give organisations the tools they need to reduce risk, intervene effectively, and support those affected by suicide, or having thoughts about suicide, with dignity and sensitivity. We hope this will encourage open conversations, reduce stigma, and ultimately help to save lives across every sector.”

This new standard is relevant to managers, HR, health and safety, occupational health teams, and those involved in organisational wellbeing, diversity and inclusion, and learning and development. While it does not cover statutory safeguarding responsibilities or clinical treatment options, it signposts where such expertise can be sought.

Developed through a two-year collaboration between government, specialist charities, advocacy groups, and industry experts, BS 30480 is designed to complement existing research and guidance, consolidating good practice into a single, accessible framework.

Jonathan Stuart, workplace partnerships lead at Mind said, “This new Standard on suicide awareness represents an important step forward in helping employers create mentally healthy workplaces. It builds on established BSI standards for psychological health and safety, as well as our Mental Health at Work Commitment. Over the course of someone’s lifetime, 1 in 4 people have suicidal thoughts and 1 in 13 people attempt to take their own lives. We know that talking and getting timely effective support can help. That’s why we’re committed to working with BSI and others to make sure this Standard drives those vital conversations and helps employers to implement meaningful, practical change that supports their people.”

Sarah McIntosh, CEO of Mental Health First Aid England said: “I have lived experience of suicide behaviour in my youth and sadly my workplace did not know what to say or how to support my return to work. I have many conversations with people still today about this still being true today. My work at MHFA England also shows the powerful difference that employers can make in the support and recovery of people and support for colleagues when someone dies by suicide in their workplace. These standards are important as they show employers what good practice is prevention, intervention and postvention.”

Chris Clarke, director of business and operational development, Chasing the Stigma said: “The new British Standard BS 30480 marks a vital step forward in addressing one of the most pressing issues of our time. With UK suicide rates at their highest since 1999, the impact on families, communities and workplaces is profound. Every organisation has a responsibility to foster environments where people feel safe, supported, and able to seek help without fear or stigma. BS 30480 offers practical guidance that’s relevant across all industries and sectors.

“This isn’t just a framework, it’s a call to action. We believe this standard will empower workplaces to become part of the solution, ensuring that support is not only available but actively encouraged.”

John Whitebrook, Ph.D, trustee vice chair and research lead, Survivors of Bereavement by Suicide, said “As a father bereaved by the suicide of my youngest son, I was motivated to contribute to the standard to help mitigate the risk of others having to bear a similar trauma and assist those that, sadly, already have or may do so in the future. I found the development of the standard to be a highly collaborative process, bringing together a broad cross-section of experts with highly relevant knowledge and experience. The commitment to a common goal, across both the drafting panel and the committee, was evident throughout.”

For more information about BS 30480 and how to access the free standard, visit www.bsigroup.com/en-GB/insights-and-media/insights/brochures/bs-30480-suicide-and-the-workplace/

References
1 Mental health facts and statistics, Mind, accessed October 2025 
2 Suicide Bereavement: What About Us?, NIHR, September 2018