Preface: The United States recorded 45,979 deaths by suicide in the year 2020. This equals one suicide every 11 minutes. If you or someone you know is struggling, there are lifelines and text lines you can reach out to 24/7 to talk to a trained crisis counselor. This includes the 988 Suicide & Crisis Hotline, available via text or phone call 24/7, 365 days a year.
Suicide Prevention in the Construction Industry
The Center for Disease Control studied deaths by industry and occupation in 49 states using data from the 2021 National Vital Statistics System. They wanted to learn more about how to reduce this high number.
They found the construction industry has the second-highest suicide rate. The industry-wide average suicide rate is 32 out of 100,000 for males and 8 out of 100,000 for females. The rate in construction is 56 for males and 10.4 for females.
To bring awareness to this unfortunate truth, a group of industry volunteers and advocates also launched the inaugural Construction Suicide Prevention Week in 2020. These dedicated humans created an official week to educate the industry on the higher-than-average rate. They also provide resources to try and prevent future deaths.
This year, Construction Suicide Prevention Week takes place on September 9-13th. 2023 brought almost 300,000 construction workers from the U.S. together. There are other initiatives for this cause as well.
The Construction Industry Alliance for Suicide Prevention (CIASP) is another great resource for construction professionals and the organizations for which they work. Established in 2016 by the Construction Financial Management Association (CFMA), CFMA’s goal is to shatter the industry’s stigma around mental health issues. Their mission is to provide information and resources for suicide prevention and promote mental health in construction.
Why are Suicide Rates Higher in the Construction Industry
While a handful of root causes and issues leave construction professionals at higher risk than other industries, most seem to be correlated to mental health and job stress. These issues include undiagnosed mental illness, overconsumption of alcohol and drug dependency, and higher levels of stress as compared to other professions. They all surround the stigma associated with mental health, especially in men, which becomes even higher in a male-dominated profession they all surround the stigma associated with mental health, especially in men, which becomes even higher in a male-dominated profession.
Additional risks also include work-related access to lethal means, lack of leadership and support, and job insecurity. It is important to consider that these issues were also heightened by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Suicide Prevention Resources
The high suicide rate in the construction industry has sparked many initiatives to provide resources and spread awareness. The official Construction Suicide Prevention Week quickly spread as an idea because of a large network of companies and professionals in the industry who wanted to become more involved. They put together an entire library of resources for those who may be struggling or those wanting to help those in need.
The Construction Industry Alliance for Suicide Prevention (CIASP) also has a checklist tool for professionals to determine if they may be at risk. The CIASP also has a page dedicated to employers. The Center for Construction Research and Training has a comprehensive suicide prevention resource list as well, which features valuable information and communications for both workers and leaders alike.
Another wonderful resource comes from Construction Working Minds. They have created a detailed program and strategy development guide called “Workplace Suicide Prevention, Mental Health Promotion & Worker Well-Being”.
4 Tips for Promoting Mental Health and Wellness in Construction
If you’re looking for ways to better promote wellness in your organization or if you’re looking for resources for yourself or your loved ones, here are four ideas.
1. Learn to Regulate Your Stress Levels.
Construction work can be tough and stressful. Long days, physical labor, and lack of stability can wear people down, leading to fatigue and depression. Stress can spill over into your personal life, increasing the risk of depression, alcohol and drug use, and even suicidal thoughts. The Mayo Clinic suggests managing stress by:
- Limiting stressful encounters
- Taking care of yourself with rest and healthy habits
- Doing activities that bring you joy
- Talking to someone you trust if you feel burnt out
2. Limit Alcohol and Drug Use.
In construction, the rates of drug and alcohol use are high. According to the American Addiction Centers:
- 12% of construction workers have an alcohol use disorder, compared to 7.5% nationally
- 14.3% of construction workers were diagnosed with a substance use disorder last year, which is more than 1.5 times the average for full-time workers
The Construction Coalition for a Drug- and Alcohol-Free Workplace includes groups like ABC, AGC, and NCCER, that are advocates for substance abuse policies in the industry. Forms of help look like rehab programs and therapies, often available through employee and union programs.
3. Make Mental Health Matter.
Talking about mental health can be tough in the construction industry, but there’s no shame in feeling low. One in five workers in the U.S. has experienced a diagnosed mental illness, but less than half seek help. However, early intervention has an 80% success rate.
Having an open-door policy at work can encourage people to talk about their mental health. This creates a sense of belonging and reduces stigma.
4. Share Available Resources.
To promote wellness and reduce suicide rates, companies need to be proactive. Employee and Union Member assistance programs are crucial. Mental health care should be accessible and affordable. This means offering access to therapists, services, and workplace initiatives for those needing support.
The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) is the nation’s largest grassroots organization dedicated to providing mental health support to those in need by way of support groups located across the nation.
Prevent Suicide in the Construction Industry
Something as complex and heavy as suicide cannot be fixed overnight. This is an industry-wide movement that everyone can and should be a part of. ConstructConnect® is proud to leverage this platform to increase awareness and help end the stigma around this important topic.
If you or someone you know needs immediate help, contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. This free and confidential (U.S.) resource connects individuals with skilled, trained counselors 24/7. Call 988 or 1-800-273-TALK (1-800-273-8255), or use the online Lifeline Crisis Chat. You can reach out to the Crisis Text Line by texting “HELLO” to 741741 to connect with a crisis counselor.
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