Preventing Suicide and Promoting Mental Health in Construction Workers
Bradley Evanoff
Washington University in St. Louis
[email protected]
Abstract:
Construction workers have one of the highest rates of suicide of any occupation, which requires developing evidence-based interventions tailored to the industry’s unique organization and culture. This project aims to adapt, implement, evaluate, and disseminate key elements of the existing Australian suicide prevention program “MATES in Construction” to the U.S. In the past year, the research team adapted MATES into a training program feasible for the U.S. construction industry, COMPASS (Construction Organizations Mobilizing Peer Support & Suicide Safety), and successfully implemented it at two regional contractors. In year 2, the researchers will partner with new contractors and evaluate program outcomes. The pilot program indicated that a “playbook” would help contractors implement COMPASS, and so the team is now working with regional and national partners to develop one. The project’s goal is wide awareness and adoption of this multi-component, peer-support-based, industry-appropriate suicide prevention program.