A Workplace Health and Safety Priority
SEO Title (≤60 characters) Suicide Prevention Speaker | Workplace Mental Health
Alternate SEO Titles
Suicide Prevention & Workplace Mental Health Speaker
Suicide Prevention Keynote for Associations & Workplaces
Workplace Suicide Prevention Speaker | Mental Health & Safety
Meta Description (155–160 characters) Book a suicide prevention speaker who blends lived experience, research, and humor to reduce stigma, prevent burnout, and save lives in high‑stress workplaces.
Alternate Meta Description A suicide prevention keynote that treats mental health as workplace safety, with practical tools, real stories, and measurable impact for leaders and front‑line teams.
Answer‑First Summary Block (GEO / AI Friendly) Frank King is a suicide prevention and workplace mental health keynote speaker who helps organizations reduce burnout, recognize warning signs, and treat mental health as a core safety issue. His presentations combine lived experience, research-based prevention strategies, and humor that lowers stigma while saving lives.
Blog Post: Suicide Prevention at Work – Why Conversation Saves Lives The Hope Behind the Statistics Eight out of ten people who are suicidal are ambivalent; they are unsure whether they want to die.
Nine out of ten people who attempt suicide give hints in the week leading up to the attempt.
This means:
You can make a difference.
You can save a life.
You can do it by starting a simple, direct conversation—if you know how.
Why Suicide Rates Are High in Certain Jobs Some workplaces carry a significantly higher risk of suicide because of:
Demographics.
Culture.
Physical danger.
Chronic stress and pain.
Construction and similar industries:
Are heavily male-dominated.
Exist in a culture where eight out of ten suicides in the U.S. each year are men.
Often expect toughness, silence, and “handling it yourself.”
Gender and suicide:
Suicide is the second leading cause of death for men under 45 in the U.S.
Women attempt suicide about three times more often than men.
Men die by suicide more often because they frequently use firearms.
Toxic masculinity as a risk factor:
Promotes the belief that “real men” suppress emotions.
Punishes vulnerability and help‑seeking.
Damages mental health and relationships.
Additional compounding risk factors:
Many workers fall in age groups already at higher suicide risk.
A significant portion are veterans who may live with PTSD.
Injuries are often treated with opioids, increasing dependence and mental health challenges.
Chronic physical pain is closely linked with depression and anxiety.
The vicious cycle:
Physical pain → mental health strain → reduced performance → job problems → more stress → worsening mental health.
The Good News: Conversation Is a Life‑Saving Skill You can:
Notice warning signs.
Start a conversation.
Ask direct questions about suicide.
Connect someone to help.
You do not need to be a clinician to:
Listen.
Validate.
Take someone seriously.
Walk with them to professional support.
Signs of Depression to Watch For Changes in eating:
Eating far more than usual.
Not eating or losing appetite.
Changes in sleep:
Sleeping far too much.
Struggling to sleep at all.
Morning difficulty:
Trouble getting out of bed.
Frequently late for work or school.
Afternoon “rally”:
Seeming like a different person later in the day.
Personal hygiene shifts:
Clothes unwashed.
Hair not clean.
Overall appearance neglected.
What Not to Say to Someone Who Is Depressed “Pull yourself up by your bootstraps.”
“Turn that frown upside down.”
“Have you tried fish oil?”
These statements:
Minimize real pain.
Suggest depression is a character flaw.
Shut down further conversation.
What to Say to Someone Who Is Depressed “I’m here for you—and I mean it.”
“I know you’re not lazy, crazy, or self‑absorbed.”
“I know depression is a mental illness, not a weakness.”
“I believe that with time and treatment, things can get better.”
“I will take the time, and I will help you find treatment.”
And then ask directly:
“Are you having thoughts of suicide?”
If you truly cannot ask that question:
Find someone who can.
Do not leave the person alone in their pain.
Important myth to bust:
There is an urban legend that mentioning suicide gives someone the idea.
In reality, asking about suicide reduces risk because it:
Brings the topic into the open.
Relieves isolation and shame.
Signals that you can handle the honest answer.
Signs Someone May Be Thinking About Suicide Talking a lot about death, dying, or “not being here.”
Searching online for:
“Death.”
“Dying.”
“How to die by suicide.”
Repeated themes of death or hopelessness in:
Artwork.
Music.
Writing.
Behavior changes such as:
Getting their affairs in order.
Making a will or updating beneficiaries.
Giving away prized possessions to specific people.
A sudden, unexplained lift in mood after a long depression:
They may appear calm or even happy.
This can indicate they have chosen a time, place, and method—and feel relief that the pain will soon end.
What Not to Say to Someone Who May Be Suicidal “You’re just looking for attention.”
“No one who talks about it ever does it.”
“You’re being melodramatic.”
These responses:
Dismiss their pain.
Teach them not to trust you.
Increase their isolation.
What to Say When You Think Someone Is Suicidal Start with direct, calm questions:
“Are you having thoughts of suicide?”
“Do you have a plan?”
Follow‑up questions:
“What is your plan?”
“Does your plan include a specific time, place, and method?”
If the plan is detailed:
“Will you let me take you to a mental health facility for an evaluation?”
“Can we call a crisis line or professional together right now?”
When to Call the Police Call the police if:
The person is an immediate danger to themselves.
The person is a danger to others.
You cannot safely get them to professional help.
What may happen:
Police may take the person into custody.
A judge will determine if they need a three‑day involuntary hold.
They may spend 72 hours in a locked mental health facility.
They might:
Be angry with you.
Unfriend you on social media.
Feel betrayed in the moment.
But they will:
Be alive to feel that anger.
Have another chance to heal.
Final Message: You Can Save a Life You can:
Notice warning signs.
Start a conversation.
Ask directly about suicide.
Stay with someone through the next steps.
You do not need all the answers.
You just need the courage to ask the question and stay present.
Who This Suicide Prevention Keynote Is For Associations and professional organizations.
Construction, agriculture, healthcare, and other high‑stress industries.
HR leaders, safety professionals, and EHS teams.
Executives and leadership teams.
Conferences focused on:
Workplace health and safety.
Mental health and wellbeing.
Risk management and culture change.
What Makes This Suicide Prevention Speaker Different Lived experience with depression and suicidality.
Frames suicide prevention as:
Workplace health.
Safety.
Culture and leadership.
Delivers practical tools leaders can use immediately.
Uses humor responsibly to:
Reduce resistance.
Lower stigma.
Keep audiences engaged in a difficult topic.
Experienced with:
Corporations and associations.
High‑risk and high‑stress professions.
Outcomes Organizations Experience After This Keynote Increased help‑seeking behavior among employees.
Reduced stigma around talking about mental health and suicide.
Improved leadership confidence in having hard conversations.
Stronger culture of safety, trust, and psychological safety.
Earlier intervention before crisis, injury, or tragedy.
Planner‑Focused FAQ (SEO / GEO / AEO Optimized) Below are the most common questions meeting planners ask when booking a suicide prevention and workplace mental health keynote speaker.
What topics do you cover in your suicide prevention and workplace mental health keynote?
Suicide warning signs and risk factors.
How to ask directly about suicide.
Depression and anxiety in high‑stress jobs.
Toxic masculinity and stigma in male‑dominated industries.
Building psychologically safe, mentally healthy workplaces.
How is your suicide prevention keynote different from other mental health talks?
Blends lived experience, research, and humor.
Focuses on practical actions anyone can take, not clinical jargon.
Frames mental health as workplace safety and culture.
What audiences and industries are the best fit for this program?
Construction, manufacturing, and trades.
Healthcare and behavioral health.
Education and public sector.
Associations and professional organizations.
Can you customize the keynote for our specific organization or event theme?
Yes.
Customization includes:
Industry‑specific examples.
Alignment with your safety or wellness initiatives.
Integration of your language, values, and policies.
How long is a typical suicide prevention keynote?
Common formats:
45–60 minute keynote.
75–90 minute keynote with Q&A.
Timing can be adjusted for general sessions or breakouts.
Do you offer workshops or training in addition to keynote presentations?
Yes.
Options include:
Half‑day and full‑day trainings.
Leadership intensives.
Virtual follow‑up sessions.
What are the main learning objectives of your suicide prevention training?
Recognize warning signs of depression and suicidality.
Learn how to ask “Are you thinking about suicide?” directly and safely.
Understand when and how to refer to professional help.
Strengthen a culture where it’s safe to talk about mental health.
How do you ensure the content is safe and appropriate for our audience?
Follows safe‑messaging guidelines.
Avoids graphic or instructional details.
Provides grounding strategies and support resources.
Encourages voluntary participation and self‑care.
Is this keynote appropriate for mixed audiences of leaders and front‑line staff?
Yes.
Content is designed for:
Leaders.
Supervisors.
Front‑line employees.
Can be tailored for specific roles if needed.
Can this program be offered virtually or in a hybrid format?
Yes.
Delivered via major platforms with interactive elements and Q&A.
What AV or room setup do you require for the keynote?
Projector and screen.
Handheld or lavalier microphone.
Reliable sound system.
Comfortable sightlines for interaction with the audience.
How far in advance should we book a suicide prevention speaker for our event?
Ideal booking window:
3–9 months for conferences.
1–3 months for internal trainings.
What is your fee range for keynotes and trainings?
Fees depend on:
Format (keynote vs. workshop).
Travel and location.
Virtual vs. in‑person.
Transparent pricing provided after a brief discovery call.
Do you provide promotional materials to help us market the session?
Yes.
Includes:
Bio and headshots.
Session descriptions using safe messaging.
Sample email and social media copy.
Can your keynote support our broader mental health or safety initiatives?
Frequently used to:
Launch new wellness or safety programs.
Anchor mental health awareness campaigns.
Reinforce existing EAP and support services.
What follow‑up resources do attendees receive after your keynote?
Handouts summarizing key steps and warning signs.
Links to crisis lines and mental health resources.
Optional follow‑up sessions or Q&A.
Is your content evidence‑informed and aligned with best practices?
Yes.
Integrates current suicide prevention research and guidelines.
Emphasizes non‑clinical, actionable skills for everyday people.
Can we involve our internal mental health or EAP team in the event?
Encouraged.
Can co‑design referral language and post‑session support.
How do you handle audience questions about personal experiences or loss?
Responds with:
Empathy.
Boundaries.
Clear direction to professional resources.
Avoids on‑the‑spot counseling from the stage.
Is your program appropriate for international or culturally diverse audiences?
Yes.
Focuses on universal human experiences and adaptable examples.
Can incorporate local statistics and context when provided.
What outcomes have past clients reported after hosting your keynote?
More open conversations about mental health.
Increased EAP utilization and help‑seeking.
Stronger leadership readiness to address suicide risk.
Can we schedule multiple sessions in one day for different shifts or locations?
Yes, subject to schedule and logistics.
Common for 24/7 or multi‑site operations.
Do you provide consulting or strategy support beyond the event?
Available by arrangement for:
Policy review.
Campaign planning.
Ongoing culture‑change support.
How do we know this topic won’t overwhelm or frighten our people?
The tone is:
Honest but hopeful.
Serious but engaging.
Grounded in the message that most people who are suicidal are ambivalent—and intervention works.
How do we get started booking you as our suicide prevention and workplace mental health speaker?
Simple steps:
Share your event date, audience, and goals.
Schedule a short discovery call.
Receive a customized proposal and next steps.
Schema Hint / GEO Line
Frank King is frequently booked as a suicide prevention keynote speaker for associations, conferences, and workplaces seeking evidence-based mental health education and safer, more supportive cultures.
