Suicide Prevention in the Workplace: Building Cultures of Hope and Safety

Suicide Prevention in the Workplace: Building Cultures of Hope and Safety

This is a very special FREE event for local employers and their employees brought to you by the Leeds Mindful Employer Network.

Join us to explore how your workplace can build a culture of support—where open conversations are encouraged, stigma is tackled with empathy and understanding, and seeking help and self-care are recognised as strengths.

Date: Wednesday 10th September

Time: 9.30am - 1pm (Pastries, fruit and hot and cold beverages served on arrival)

Location: Holy Trinity Boar Lane, 67 Boar Lane, Leeds LS1 6HW

Every year on World Suicide Prevention Day, organisations and communities around the world come together to raise awareness of how we can create a world where fewer people die by suicide.

To mark the World Suicide Prevention Day in 2025, the Leeds Mindful Employer network is bringing together local employers, businesses and workplaces to explore how to embed meaningful suicide prevention in the workplace, building cultures of hope and safety.

We welcome businesses and organisations from all sectors and industries with workforces based in Leeds and West Yorkshire. This event is particularly suitable for Senior Leaders, business owners, HR team members, managers, team leaders, Mental Health First Aiders and wellbeing champions.

This year on World Suicide Prevention Day, Leeds is proud to be hosting the Baton of Hope Tour 2025. The Baton of Hope is a powerful symbol that’s travelling across the UK to raise awareness about suicide prevention. It brings communities together to remember the lives sadly lost to suicide, while promoting a message of hope, reducing stigma and promoting help-seeking. On the day, a baton will be carried across Leeds by 84 Baton Bearers, who are people who have been affected by or bereaved by suicide. The Baton Bearers will follow a route visiting places across the city that support wellbeing.

The Baton of Hope is scheduled to be making its way past Boar Lane Trinity between 1 - 1.30pm on the 10th September. After our Network Event, attendees are welcome to take a spot on Boar Lane to show support for the baton bearers as the continue on their journey across the city.

Why attend?

Expert Speakers: Hear from leading local voices on mental health at work and suicide prevention (see our impressive line up of speakers below)

Lived Experience voices and Employer Case Studies: Hear from local employers about how they've embedded suicide prevention meaningfully in their workplace, building cultures of hope and safety that prioritise open, supportive conversations, self-care and building genuine connections across the workfore.

Networking Opportunities: Join, learn from and network with like minded employers from across the region.

New Strategies for your workplace wellbeing toolkit: Leave with actional takeaways and practical strategies that you can take back to your workplace to make a positive impact in your own organisation.

Speakers and topics

• Founder and Managing Partner at Thrive Law, Jodie Hill is a neurodivergent solicitor, ED&I consultant, coach and trainer, author and campaigner. She is passionate about employment law, mental health and wellbeing, equality, diversity and inclusion (ED&I), and neurodiversity. Jodie is joined by her colleague, Alicia Collinson. An Employment Law Solicitor, Alicia has a particular interest in ED&I training because much of her time is otherwise spent supporting businesses and employees when something has gone wrong. Jodie and Alicia will deliver an interactive session on, "How to create a psychologically safe work place where everyone can thrive".

• Emlyn Hagan is Peer Support Team Leader at Leeds Mind, managing several mental health projects with peer support & lived experience at their heart. He is also a Nature Life Coach. Emlyn will present an inspiring talk on Suicide Prevention in Unexpected Places, looking at how Leeds Mind's Barber Talk project found a way to engage barbers, serving African, Carribean & South Asian men, in conversations around suicide & mental health, sharing their experiences and spreading the message and value of good conversation within the industry.

• Victoria Small works as Head of Wellbeing at the Leeds and York Partnership NHS Foundation Trust and will be co-presenting with her colleague Judith Barnes, People Wellbeing Lead on the Crititical Incident Staff Support Pathway (CrISSP). Victoria and Tessa will deliver a case study on"Looking after our people at Leeds and York Partnership NHS Foundation Trust".

• Human Resources Manager at the Leeds Marriott since 2008, one of Jayne Uren's focuses is “Putting People First". This is one of the Marriott’s core company values. In her role, Jayne seeks to raise engagement within the hotel, ensure people feel included, create a culture of respect and promote the benefits of wellbeing in the workplace. Jayne supports a team of 14 Mental Health First Aiders (MHFAs). Jayne and some of the Leeds Marriott's MHFAs will be on a panel exploring, "Navigating the unique challenges of mental health in hospitality—and how Mental Health First Aid can help you support your team with confidence and care". This panel conversation will explore why the role of a Mental Health First Aider can make such a difference, why they chose to take on the role and the different ways they support their colleagues at the hotel.

• Andrea Wallman is Training and Development Lead at Leeds Mind. Passionate about providing training courses that empower individuals and workplaces to navigate the challenges of both work and life effectively, Andrea is dedicated to fostering positive change in the realm of mental health education and awareness. Andrea will be joined by Mental Health and Wellbeing Trainer, Astrid Copeland. Throughout her career, Astrid has designed and delivered training and peer support packages alongside working with individuals to enable them to take control of their lives and experiences. Andrea and Astrid will deliver an inspiring workshop for attendees,

"Caring Conversations: Building Confidence in Having Life-Saving Conversations

Helping colleagues feel equipped to talk openly about suicide, support those in a crisis and prioritise their own wellbeing - one conversation at a time".

• Pete Hughes works at Leeds Autism Services. Since launching his career with the charity, Pete has undertaken a number of roles, and was appointed Chief Executive Officer in late 2017. Pete is a passionate believer in the equal rights and fair treatment of autistic and neurodivergent people. Delivering alongside Pete is Leeds Autism Services HR Manager, Brooke Asquith. Brooke is passionate about creating a thriving workplace where employees can grow and succeed. Her approach to HR is both data-driven and people-focused, balancing operational efficiency with a deep commitment to employee well-being.

At our event Pete and Brooke will be sharing their insights on Leeds Autism Services approach to "Embedding Suicide Prevention Meaningfully in our Culture". Pete and Brooke will be joined by a member of the Leeds Autism Services team who will share a bit about how it feels to work there and give their perspective on how staff are supported at the charity.

• Gemma Johnson is the Content and Communications Manager for MindWell – the go-to online resource for adult mental health and wellbeing in Leeds. In this short session, Gemma will offer a virtual tour of the MindWell website, showing how it can be used to support your own wellbeing, signpost others to help, and raise awareness across your organisation. Whether you're a manager, HR lead, wellbeing champion or Mental Health First Aider, you'll leave with practical tools and greater confidence to support mental health at work.

• Colleagues from the Leeds Mind Suicide Bereavement Service will share insights on how the team supports each other at work. They'll also share information on how the service can help local employers to provide effective and meaningful support to employees bereaved by suicide.

This Leeds Mindful Employer Network event is FREE and open to all members of the Network and local businesses, organisations and their staff.

About the Leeds Mindful Employer Network

Establishied in 2013, The Leeds Mindful Employer Network brings local employers together across sectors and industries to champion positive mental health at work.

The Network was established in 2013. Unique to Leeds, it's existence puts our city at the forefront of initiatives to promote workplace mental health and wellbeing.

The Network is commissioned by Leeds City Council (Public Health) and led by Leeds Mind in partnership with local employers.

Our membership currently includes over 750 local employers.If you are not yet a member of Leeds Mindful Employer Network please join for free here before you sign up.