I have been surveying workplaces about their confidence and competence in supporting coworkers who are going through hard times. What I have found is that most people care deeply about the people they work with and have a strong willingness to help. I have discovered that many workplaces successfully show up for their employees when they have experienced a medical crisis for themselves or a family member or when there is a natural disaster, but when it comes to suicide, they get the “deer in the headlights” response.

Dr. Stacey Freedenthal is an associate professor of social work and a leader in the national conversation on suicide prevention. She knows what she’s talking about because she has lived through her own experiences with suicidal intensity. On this podcast she gives us tools on what to do if you are worried about a coworker who may be thinking of taking their life.