Systematiska kunskapsöversikter; 13. Suicide in the employed population: A review of epidemiology, risk factors and prevention activities

Abstract

This review described current evidence about the relationship between workplace exposures and suicidal outcomes, including thoughts about suicide, suicide attempts, and death due to suicide. First, an overview of suicide risk across different occupational groups was presented. This demonstrated particularly elevated rates of suicide in certain male-dominated occupational groups. Second, the review presented evidence about the likely risk factors for suicide in the employed population. These risk factors included: characteristics within the working environment (such as psychosocial job stressors, or other workplace exposures); access to means used to die or attempt suicide; exposure to death or suicide within the context of a job; gendered attitudes towards help-seeking and suicide, and; individual factors associated with people working in at-risk occupations. The last half of the review presented an overview of workplace suicide prevention, including evidence regarding the ability of workplace activities to improve knowledge about risk factors and reduce stigma, as well as reduce suicide ideation and deaths due to suicide. The review closed by highlighting knowledge gaps in the area of research and prevention and recommending further areas of research.