In a compelling display of leadership and compassion, a North Dakota construction supervisor's call to the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline has sparked an important conversation about mental health in the workplace. North Dakota Health and Human Services (HHS) partners with FirstLink to answer both 988 and 211, the numbers for resources.
With September marked as Suicide Prevention Awareness Month, FirstLink Development Director Jeremy Brown recently shared this impactful story of answering the call from a construction supervisor, illustrating the profound impact of accessible mental health resources.
According to Brown, when the supervisor recognized changes in a crew member's behavior, he reached out to 988 with concerns about an employee’s well-being. He had been dealing with significant personal issues, including a divorce and custody battle, which were beginning to affect his job performance and mental state. Unsure of how to address these sensitive topics, the supervisor sought guidance from 988 on how to approach the situation.
Brown recounted the call, illustrating the profound impact of recognizing changes in someone’s behavior, taking proactive measures to support others and the importance of accessible mental health resources.
"The supervisor told me about his employee's struggles and expressed concern that the employee might be having suicidal thoughts. This was not a conversation he was accustomed to having, especially in a male-dominated industry like construction where mental health topics can be stigmatized," Brown explained.
Rather than having a third-party intervention, the supervisor opted to be coached on how to have a direct and empathetic conversation with his employee. Brown took time to role-play the conversation, provided strategies on how to address the topic of suicide, and offered a list of resources that could be shared during the supervisor’s discussion with his employee. This approach ensured the supervisor was equipped to handle the conversation with sensitivity and support.
The outcome was twofold. The immediate concern for the employee's mental health was addressed, and the supervisor realized the broader need to foster a more open dialogue about mental health within his entire team. He expressed a desire to create a workplace environment where resources are readily available and mental health conversations are normalized.
HHS Suicide Prevention Program Administrator Melissa Markegard highlights the broader implications of this story.
"This isn't just about one call. It's about changing the culture of how we address mental health in the workplace. This supervisor's initiative is a perfect example of how leadership can make a difference," said HHS Suicide Prevention Program Administrator Melissa Markegard. “I’d like to encourage all employers to seek out the tools and knowledge to support their employees' mental health in order to create a safer and more supportive environment for everyone.”
The partnership between HHS and FirstLink is an example of the state agency’s priorities to advance the foundations of well-being through access to high-quality services and supports closer to home as well as deliver best-in-class customer-centered experiences.
”I hope more supervisors and business owners in North Dakota are inspired to take similar steps, demonstrating that addressing mental health proactively can lead to positive changes not just for individuals but for entire workplace cultures,” said Brown.
By sharing this story, HHS and FirstLink hope to inspire more supervisors and business owners to take similar steps, demonstrating that addressing mental health proactively can lead to positive changes not just for individuals but for entire workplace cultures.
RESOURCES
In addition to contacting 988 for resources, employers can seek out the following resources and available trainings that range from brief introductory sessions to comprehensive day-long workshops.
HHS suicide prevention resources: https://www.hhs.nd.gov/behavioral-health/prevention/suicide
HHS suicide prevention trainings: https://www.hhs.nd.gov/behavioral-health/prevention/suicide/suicide-prevention-trainings
FirstLink resources: https://myfirstlink.org/resources/
FirstLink printable resources: https://myfirstlink.org/resources/printable-resources/