Recruitment for this study will end on May 31, 2025.
Background
Family members and friends play a crucial role in supporting individuals with suicidal ideation and behavior. Given that the U.S. has over 100 million working adults, many suicide caregivers are trying to balance their caregiving responsibilities with their job responsibilities. There is a gap in existing research regarding the experiences of suicide caregivers in the workplace. The research purpose is to understand how suicide caregivers' experiences impact a person’s work and their perception of their employer and coworkers' response to their role.
Study
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 49,300 people in the U.S. died by suicide in 2023 and this rate continues to increase. Families and friends are essential in supporting individuals experiencing suicidal ideation or behavior (SI/SB). However, many caregivers—unpaid individuals who provide care and support for the well-being of children, partners, friends, or other loved ones—often struggle to find adequate resources to help them balance caregiving responsibilities with other commitments, such as work. In response to the need for more research about how employers can better support suicide caregivers in the workplace, this study surveyed caregivers of people with SI/SB using an online, anonymous survey to assess stigma, managers’ and coworkers’ responses, resources offered, and resources needed.
Data collection is still open, and final results will be shared once the study has been completed.
See the flyer or click https://umaryland.az1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_1RMtCBrpHSXllqu?fbclid=IwY2xjawKTJLZleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETEyZlgwbE5OaUNzdFoxMTZjAR5YJUW5QnaTIcozT5QeKwKDnTUJKguhHd1gyt0aqSJhh3ECpeHAyC70dLoUlA_aem_h8kdj6g4l9g2oU0Mt6UJYw to learn more and please share with others.
Implications/Future Plans
The results will inform the National Committee of Workplace Suicide Prevention as they work to create resources for employers and employees in response to the needs identified in this study. We plan to share all forthcoming resources when available on the committee’s website: www.WorkplaceSuicidePrevention.com. In addition, employers could use the results of the study to create a more supportive environment in their workplace.
Principal Investigator, Program Director, and Research Team
- Jodi J. Frey, PhD, LCSW-C, Principal Investigator, University of Maryland School of Social Work
- Christel Tajouoh Daghuie, LCSW-C, DBT-C, PhD Student/Graduate Research Assistant, University of Maryland School of Social Work
- Johanna Louie, LCSW, Suicide Is Different
- Amanda Mosby, Program Manager, University of Maryland School of Social Work
- Joshua Meribole, MSW, Graduate Research Assistant, University of Maryland School of Social Work
- April Xu, BA, Research Assistant, University of Maryland School of Social Work
- Support from Members of the Workplace Suicide Prevention and Postvention National Committee (www.WorkplaceSuicidePrevention.com)
For More Information
Contact the research team for more information.
Jodi J. Frey, PhD, LCSW-C, Principal Investigator
Office Phone: 410-706-3607
Email: jfrey@ssw.umaryland.edu