Lead With Light: How Your Energy Could Save A Life

Presidential Consultants
7 hours ago
5 min read

135. That’s the number of people who die each day by suicide in America. That is more than a hundred hopes, dreams, and relationships lost in twenty‑four hours. September is Suicide Prevention Month. It is a reminder that the burden of mental distress does not stop at home, it follows us into our offices, cubicles and classrooms.

Several years back, I was experiencing distress in a significant personal relationship. At the end of one particular work day, a coworker opened my classroom door to find me curled up in my teacher rocking chair crying. She sat with me as I shared what had happened, holding space for me while she held my hand. After giving me tissues, she suggested that I call my local employee assistance program to get some guidance. I made my first appointment with a counselor with her sitting there beside me.

That moment stayed with me because her presence made a difference. She didn’t try to fix anything. She simply sat with me, offered comfort, and reminded me I wasn’t alone. That quiet act of care gave me just enough strength to take the next step.

Every year, more than 49,000 people die by suicide in the United States. When you break down who is most affected and when these tragedies happen, the data points to something that all professionals need to know: how you show up matters in ways you may never fully see.

The Hidden Crisis at Work

The most recent stats our of the Bureau of Labor statistics show the in 2022, there were 267 workplace fatalities by suicide, up 13.1 percent from the year before. That is one workplace suicide each work day, Monday - Friday. That number includes individuals whose suicide was directly connected to their work environment, who were at their workplace when it happened, or whose job status played a part. It does not capture the ones who struggle quietly and never speak up. It does not count the ones who show up every day, appearing fine, while things inside are breaking down. By many accounts those numbers are far larger.

Here are a few statistics that matter for leaders and teammates:

The suicide rate for working-age adults (roughly age 16 to 64) is significantly higher now than two decades ago.
Suicide is the second leading cause of death for people ages 10‑34.
Older workers (45 years and up) represent over half of workplace suicides.

One of the most heartbreaking aspects of suicide and suicidal ideation is that often, people feel completely alone. They do not reach out. If someone were to ask, “Who would notice if I did reach out?” or “Who am I safe enough with to say this?” their minds might go blank—or settle somewhere that feels empty. And many never make that step.

We don’t have comprehensive reliable data on which co‑workers people turn to when they are struggling or the percentage of help‑seeking done through the workplace versus outside services. What we do know is this: workplaces are underprepared to respond when someone shows signs of crisis. Many lack mental health training, many lack culture of openness, many even lack trust.

Why How You Show Up Matters

You may never know what someone is going through inside. You may not see the tears, the trembling, the exhaustion, or the long nights of worry. But what is true is that your mood, your mindset, your energy all ripple out. They shape how people feel about belonging. They influence whether someone believes it is safe to reach out. They decide whether someone feels seen.

Trust is central to whether people believe help exists. Trust builds slowly with small acts. It breaks easily when someone feels ignored or judged.

Here are ways your presence and behavior can build trust:

Consistent kindness. Remember names, ask how someone really is, follow up after you ask. Those small moves let people know they matter.
Emotional availability. Listen without trying to fix right away. Be present with someone’s pain long enough for them to speak.
Authenticity. Admit when you are tired or overwhelmed. Being honest about your limits invites honesty in others.
Responsiveness. If someone expresses concern or shows signs of distress, believe them. Make real efforts to respond when people say something has hurt them or made them unsafe.

When many of us lean toward light in those ways the tone of the workplace changes. Kindness, care, safety become part of the air people breathe rather than rare events.

Trust in Action: Practical Ways to Lead With Light

Below are practices you can begin today that align with the theme and can make a real difference in someone’s life.

Practice	What You Do	Why It Matters
Make space	Begin meetings or check‑ins by asking how everyone is doing in truth.	Surface level responses become less frequent. People feel permitted to be honest.
Share vulnerability	When you are stressed or facing pressure, share that. Let others know you do not have all the answers.	It signals that perfection is not required. It reduces isolation.
Peer anchors	Find coworkers who are grounded, good listeners, and trustworthy. Encourage connection among them.	People often reach out first to peers. Trust among peers can mean earlier intervention.
Promote help resources openly	Regularly share information about Employee Assistance Programs, crisis hotlines, counseling services. Make access clear.	When help is visible it feels real and safe to use.
Small moments of encouragement	Say thank you. Notice effort. Send a quick message of support or recognition.	These actions accumulate. They remind people that they are seen and valued.

What Leaders Can Do to Shift the Tone

If people follow your lead your behavior carries extra weight. Here are some leadership actions:

Model care by showing your own human side. Admit overwhelm. Admit needing rest or help.
Establish norms of caring and openness. Encourage conversations about emotional health. Celebrate times when people show up for others.
Provide training for psychological safety. Equip teams with the ability to notice distress, to ask sensitive questions, to respond with compassion.
Make sure help is easy to find. Post resource information in visible places. Ensure people know how to access HR, EAPs, crisis lines.
Review workplace stressors. Excessive workload, unclear expectations or constant change can wear people down. Work to reduce those where you can.

A Call to Lead With Light

Even one light can make a difference in great darkness. Your energy does not need to be perfect. Your presence does not need to solve everything. What it needs to be is real. What it needs to be is caring. It only took one person with compassion to sit with me in a time of distress, providing me with hope and a possible solution. That time spent with her that day made all the difference for me.

Resources and Help

If you or someone you know is struggling here are resources that always help:

988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline ‒ call or text 988 anytime you need someone to talk with
Employee Assistance Programs many organizations offer confidential support services for mental health
WorkWell Live core trainings and peer support resources around mental health and wellness in the workplace
Peer supporters or mental health champions within your workplace

DJ Nicholson is a seasoned educator, instructional coach, and trauma-informed consultant with more than 30 years of experience supporting children, families, and school systems. As a Lead Facilitator with Presidential Consultants, she specializes in helping school communities build consistent, relationship-centered environments that support safety, healing, and growth.