‘From that time onwards my role changed’. Disclosing suicidality in Australian workplaces a qualitative study

Individuals experiencing suicidality at work may face complex disclosure decisions, involving assessing the risks versus benefits of disclosure or non-disclosure. This study aimed to identify barriers and enablers to disclosing suicidality in workplaces and to explore the responses, support, and accommodation needs for workers experiencing suicidality. We conducted semi-structured interviews with a purposive sample of 30 working adults who reported experiencing suicidality at work and may or may not have disclosed. Using reflexive thematic analysis, we constructed four themes: (i) stigma and discrimination are fears realized, (ii) leaders should address psychosocial hazards, (iii) there's a price to pay when considering revealing and protecting social identities, and (iv) having safe people and safe systems would help. The study findings indicate that creating more compassionate and empathetically supportive workplaces may help address some of the barriers to disclosure of suicidality, including potentially decreasing stigma and discrimination and addressing psychosocial hazards that act as barriers to disclosure. Considering the role of identity by applying a socioecological lens that includes understanding the role of social identity, belongingness, culture, and marginalization may help to increase understanding of suicidality disclosure decision-making in workplaces. The findings further indicate a need to implement multi-layered systems-level approaches for workplaces to be better equipped to support workers who experience suicidality.