September is Suicide Prevention Month, a time when individuals, organizations and communities come together to raise awareness about this critical issue and support those who are struggling.

As part of its commitment to promote employee mental health and foster a workplace culture of empathy and accessibility, IU Human Resources and Healthy IU launched the Workplace Mental Health website in early 2023. This comprehensive resource offers a “one-stop shop” for employees, residents, student academic appointees and leaders who are facing or supporting someone with mental health challenges, including suicidal thoughts.

The site is organized into four sections, each dedicated to the type of support being sought out:

• Find help and resources: Explore the different ways to connect with professional help, such as telebehavioral health, face-to-face appointments with a provider, text therapy or coaching, or online self-help programs. You can also find resources for children and teens, policies related to taking time off work, and tools to stay mentally well.
• 24-hour support: Connect with IU’s employee assistance program, SupportLinc, for confidential short-term assistance and referrals. Their helpline, 888-881-LINC (5462), is answered by licensed mental health clinicians 24/7.
• Suicide prevention and crisis hotlines: Learn about the warning signs and risk factors for suicide, and things you can do or say to support someone in crisis. You can also connect with crisis hotlines such as the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.
• Resources for leaders: Find information and support tools for departments, leaders, managers and supervisors, including how to access support after a critical incident and printable resources in English or Spanish.

IU’s commitment to mental health and suicide prevention extends beyond providing resources. It also emphasizes creating a stigma-free environment where employees feel comfortable discussing mental health and seeking help. In that light, the site also lists education and training opportunities on a wide range of mental health topics offered by Healthy IU, SupportLinc EAP and others.

Employees are encouraged to visit the Workplace Mental Health website regularly and familiarize themselves with the resources that are available. By raising awareness about and promoting this important tool, we can collectively work toward reducing the stigma surrounding mental health issues and, ultimately, save lives.

Visit 988Lifeline.org to learn more about National Suicide Prevention Month. For questions or feedback about the Workplace Mental Health website, contact IU Human Resources at askhr@iu.edu.