Prof. Anthony D. LaMontagne
Professor Deakin University
There is growing social, policy and research interest in the relationship between work and suicide. In this rapidly evolving area, opinions differ on the state of the evidence on aetiology and intervention, as well as the appropriate policy and practice responses. In this presentation, I will briefly recount the evolution of research on work and suicide, contrasting knowledge where work-relatedness is investigated on an individual case-based approach versus using population-based epidemiologic approaches. The rapidly growing literature over the last decade on job stressors and suicide will be highlighted in the discussion of epidemiologic approaches. Notwithstanding the limitations of observational evidence, I will argue that there is adequate information to justify policy and practice action at various levels. Finally, an overview of the current state of workplace suicide prevention will be provided, illustrated by the extensively evaluated MATES program targeting blue collar male workers.
