September is suicide prevention awareness month and Construction Suicide Prevention Week is Sept. 9-13, 2024, making it the ideal time to discuss suicide risks with your employees.
According to the Centers for Disease Control, in 2023, male construction workers had a 75% higher rate of suicide than men in the general population. And suicide rates in general rose from the year before. That’s an alarming number that requires immediate action by the construction industry.
The challenging nature of construction work itself can lead to mental health issues and an increased risk of suicide. According to the Occupational Health and Safety (OHS), working in construction often includes working long hours in harsh environments which can contribute to anxiety, depression and in some cases substance abuse, all which can lead to suicide and accidents if left unchecked.
According to the National Library of Medicine, 2.5% of male construction workers have self-reported experiencing suicidal ideation and nearly 30% cited regular psychological distress. Add the fact that injury from job sites can lead to chronic pain and potentially opioid abuse, and the mental health risks are exacerbated.
Those struggling with mental health issues can’t bear the entire burden of seeking help. Construction managers are in a unique position to take a proactive approach to suicide prevention and mental health intervention as they often work side-by-side with their employees. Luckily, there are programs that can help.
Here are just two to consider.
OSHA has launched campaigns to prevent suicide in the construction industry including developing a Suicide and Crisis hotline using the three-digit code 988 that workers can call to help cope with work-related stress.
OSHA offers employers several resources for employers can use like videos, toolbox talk topics and other materials that outline suicide prevention.
OSHA recommends taking action to identify and talk about mental health issues in the workplace. Co-workers may sense when something is wrong with their colleagues, especially those that work closely together, and their actions can make a real difference.
Share these steps with your employees:
There are other safety programs that take the initiative on developing and instituting a mental health wellness plan.
The Construction Wellbeing Foundation is committed to providing vital resources, support and education to promote mental health and wellbeing within the construction industry. It was established in 2023 via a collaborative effort between SkillSignal, an all-in-one safety and compliance technology platform, and Princeton University’s Kahneman-Treisman Center for Behavioral Science and Public Policy. SkillSignal is Arcoro’s partner for jobsite construction safety.
The Construction Wellbeing Initiative’s work is focused on three areas:
No matter how they confront mental health issues in construction, managers must bring awareness to suicide prevention now to help decrease the risks for their workers. Suicide prevention resources are available.
Take advantage of Suicide Prevention Month to raise your workers’, and your own, awareness about the risks around suicide in the construction industry.