On Sept. 10, 2026, the Utah Chamber and Salt Lake Chamber hosted the Utah Rising Webinar, The Question That Saves Lives: A Suicide Prevention Conversation for Utah’s Business Community, which focused on mental health, suicide prevention and the role employers can play in supporting a strong, resilient workforce.
Mental health and well-being are essential to a healthy workplace. Employers and business leaders can play an important role in creating supportive environments, recognizing when an employee may be struggling and connecting individuals with appropriate resources. While mental health challenges can take many forms, this conversation took a closer look at suicide prevention — including how to recognize when someone may be at greater risk and what to do when concern becomes a potential crisis.
Attendees heard from local experts about mental health and suicide in Utah, warning signs that someone may need support and practical ways to navigate difficult conversations. The discussion also explored how employers can foster workplace cultures where employees feel comfortable seeking help, connect individuals with available support and resources, and be better prepared to respond when an employee may be experiencing a mental health crisis.
Panelists:
- Brandon Callor, MSW, CSW, CPM
- Dr. Eric T. Monson, MD, PhD
Moderator:
- Ally Isom, Chief Corporate Affairs Officer, Clyde Companies, Inc.
What You Can Actually Do This Week
- Learn the direct question. Practice asking, plainly, “Are you thinking about ending your life?” It does not make things worse. It can be the moment that changes everything.
- Save numbers in your phone right now. 988 (call, text, or chat) and SafeUT (833-372-3388). Do it before you need it, not after.
- Reduce access to lethal means — at home and, where appropriate, at work. Lock firearms and ammunition separately. Store medications securely. This single step saves lives.
- Watch for the 14-day window. A recent job loss, breakup, or financial or legal crisis is a real warning sign. Check in with people going through one of these — don’t wait for them to ask.
- Make it normal to talk about mental health at work. Don’t treat a sudden performance drop as only a discipline issue — ask what’s going on first. Normalize using EAP benefits and therapy.
- Have a plan before you need one. Know what your company or family would actually do in the first 48 hours after a suicide loss. Building that plan now is an act of prevention, not just preparation.
- Get trained. Take a QPR (Question, Persuade, Refer) gatekeeper training, widely offered free in Utah. Learn to recognize warning signs and connect someone to help, the same way CPR teaches a non-medical person to respond to a cardiac emergency.
Verified Crisis & Support Resources (Utah)
- 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline — Call or text 988, or chat at 988lifeline.org. Free, confidential, 24/7. Utah callers are routed to Utah’s own crisis line, staffed by Huntsman Mental Health Institute counselors.
- SafeUT — Free app (iOS and Android), or call/text 833-372-3388. Confidential, 24/7 crisis support for any Utahn, not just students.
- SafeUT Frontline — A parallel version of SafeUT for law enforcement, fire, EMS, and healthcare workers and their families.
- Utah Warm Line — 801-587-1055 (or 1-833-SPEAKUT). Peer support for people who aren’t in crisis but want someone to talk to. Daily, 8 a.m.–11 p.m.
- Live On Utah (liveonutah.org) — Utah’s statewide suicide prevention campaign, with resources by audience: parents, veterans, faith leaders, firearm owners, LGBTQIA+ community, and more.
- Crisis Text Line — Text HOME to 741741 (national, 24/7).
- Utah’s Safe Harbor Law — Allows a concerned person to temporarily store firearms with local law enforcement at no cost. Ask your local police department.
- NAMI Utah — HelpLine Support Team provides information about mental health conditions and community resources, Tues.-Thurs., 1:00pm-5:00pm, 801-323-9900.
- AFSP — Healing Conversations – One-time visit (phone, virtual, in-person) to connect those who have lost someone to suicide with trained volunteers who are also survivors of suicide loss. Email request: healingconversations@afsp.org.
Additionally, we encourage you to review the Suicide Prevention in the Workplace: An Employer Toolkit, which we created to help business leaders become more understanding of the mental health needs of their employees.
This webinar series highlights focus areas within the Utah Rising plan and the leaders driving meaningful progress.