ClosePress release 9 September 2019.
Not many people just wake up one day, having been fine the day before, and decide to kill themselves. There’s generally a long, tortuous journey to that point – alongside which, there are many opportunities for interventions.
Katharine Moxham, spokesperson for GRiD said: ‘It’s important that we identify those opportunities and make those interventions. This might be outside the remit or expertise for many, but support is available within group risk products, and employers have the opportunity to save a life if they offer them and encourage their staff to use the help they provide.’
Support within group risk products is wide and varied and includes help for businesses, line managers, HRs and employees. It includes early intervention, treatment, fast access to talking therapies, signposting to mental health first aid training, ongoing regular support and contact.
No death by suicide is acceptable or inevitable, and one of the most important steps in preventing suicide is improving access to support. Sometimes, there are limited opportunities to make a difference, so it’s important that those who are suicidal, and others who could help them, know that support is available and how to access it.
1,851 people returned to work through mental health early interventions funded by group risk insurers during 2018 and 293 claims were paid for deaths by suicide.*
Moxham continued: ‘The numbers belie the reality. For every person struggling with their mental health, or who dies by suicide, there are many more affected: colleagues, family, friends. And the group risk industry doesn’t just support the individual with their mental health challenges, but also those around them: financially, following suicide; and/or emotionally - and that’s a lifeline to help people get back on track. The subject may still be surrounded by taboo, but offering support should be commonplace. There’s a real need to talk about suicide and to change perceptions, so that people see it as preventable and avoidable, and that everyone is able to support someone who is at risk.’
- Ends –
*GRiD Claims Survey 2019
For further information please contact:
Sharon Mason
SMUK Marketing and PR
smason@smuk.org.uk
Mob: 07747 611773
Land: 01252 843350
Katharine Moxham
Spokesperson for GRiD
Katharine.moxham@grouprisk.org.uk
Mob: 07887 512508
Notes for editors
About GRiD
Group Risk Development (GRiD) is the industry body for the group risk protection sector, promoting the value to UK businesses of providing financial protection for their staff, enhancing their wellbeing and improving employee engagement. Our membership includes insurers, reinsurers and intermediaries who have a collective wealth of experience built over years of operating in the group risk protection market. Under the chairmanship of Steve Bridger (MD Group Protection, Corporate, Aviva UK Insurance) GRiD aims to promote group risk through a collective voice to Government, policymakers, stakeholders and employers.
GRiD works with government departments and regulators involved in legislation and regulation affecting group risk benefits, and with other organisations involved in the benefits and financial protection arenas. GRiD also seeks to enhance the industry's standing by encouraging best practice and by participating in industry-wide initiatives such as the professional qualification in group risk managed jointly with the Chartered Insurance Institute.
GRiD’s media activity aims to generate a wider awareness and understanding of group risk products and their benefits for employers and employees.
GRiD's dedicated spokesperson, Katharine Moxham, provides expert media comment on a full range of group risk issues.
Follow Katharine Moxham on Twitter @KMoxham
