Suicide rates have risen dramatically in recent years in the U.S. There are roughly 129 suicides per day or 1 death every 11 minutes.[1] The construction industry has one of the highest suicide rates compared to other industries.
There is not a simple answer to why this increase has occurred – particularly among construction workers. However, just as we develop and identify resources to help construction workers and employers prevent visible injuries and illnesses, we are also committed to preventing those that may be less visible but equally as important to the safety, health, and well-being of the construction workforce.
There are a growing number of resources available to help organizations and individuals understand the issue, start a conversation, and play a role in supporting friends, co-workers and family members. This online resource is intended to help construction employers, unions and workers quickly find information on suicide prevention.
IF YOU OR SOMEONE YOU KNOW NEEDS IMMEDIATE HELP, PLEASE CONTACT THE:National Suicide Prevention Lifeline— a free and confidential (U.S.) resource that connects individuals with skilled, trained counselors 24/7. Call 988 or 1-800-273-TALK (1-800-273-8255) |
Resources to Start a Conversation
CPWR – The Center for Construction Research and Training
- CPWR Workshop on Combating Suicide and Overdose Fatalities Among Construction Workers — A white paper summarizing a workshop on the high rates of suicide and overdose deaths among construction workers. Attendees discussed current initiatives and began developing a roadmap, creating 4 workgroups that have continued to meet.
- Webinar: Supporting Construction Workers: Suicide Prevention, Mental Health, and Substance Use
April 29, 2021 Play Recording Download Slides Additional Resources - Key Findings from Research: Psychological distress and suicidal ideation among male construction workers in the United States
- Hazard Alert: Preventing Suicide Prevention in Construction — English and Spanish
- Toolbox Talk: Suicide Prevention in Construction — English and Spanish
- Infographics
Construction Industry Alliance for Suicide Prevention
- Get Help Now – free resources that provide confidential support for those thinking about suicide or know someone who may be at risk.
- Get Informed – access to information to understand and raise awareness of why construction workers are at risk, including:
- Integration Resources – resources to help a company develop a program and begin an internal discussion on suicide prevention
- Uniting the Construction Industry Behind Suicide Prevention (webinar) – addresses why it is important for the construction industry to “STAND Up for suicide prevention.”
- Construction + Suicide Prevention: Why Is This an Industry Imperative?
- Construction + Suicide Prevention: 10 Action Steps Companies Can Take to Save Lives
- STAND up for suicide prevention today – ways to get involved and Events
- Mental Health & Suicide Prevention for Construction Companies: Needs Analysis & Integration Checklist – resource to evaluate and build programs
- COVID-19 Resources — to help employers support their employees’ physical and mental health during this stressful time.
NIOSH – Suicide and Occupation topic page
- Suicide Awareness Infographic (en español)
- Suicide Mortality by State
- NIOSH Science Blog – topics on suicide including three on the below journal articles
- Suicide and drug‐related mortality following occupational injury – journal article
- Job strain, long work hours, and suicidal ideation in US workers: a longitudinal study – journal article
- Suicide in U.S. Workplaces, 2003–2010 – journal article
- Podcast – Suicide Prevention Awareness for Construction with John Gaal and Don Willey
- Video: “He’s Alright” – https://vimeo.com/600366269
- Video: “She’s Fine” – https://vimeo.com/600370113
- The following resources are available to download:
- Suicide Prevention Campaign Toolbox Talk Guide
- Toolbox Talk Sheets:1. State of Our Industry2. Reduce the Stigma3. Recognizing Warning Signs4. Starting the Conversation5. Recap
- Jobsite Poster
- Toolbox Talk Takeaway Sheets
The Suicide Prevention Resource Center is funded by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) and “devoted to advancing the implementation of the National Strategy for Suicide Prevention.”
- Resources and Programs – includes resources such as programs, toolkits,and fact sheets that can be used to develop a suicide prevention plan.
- Trainings – on “how to apply a strategic planning approach to your suicide prevention efforts.”
- State Activities – information on state-level “suicide prevention programs, grants, contacts, and legislation.”
The National Action Alliance for Suicide Prevention is dedicated to advancing the National Strategy for Suicide Prevention by working with more than 250 national public and private partners aimed at reducing the annual suicide rate 20% by 2025. It has three priorities areas:
- Transforming health systems
- Transforming communities
- Changing the conversation about suicide
- Other resources available include, for example, a Framework for Successful Messaging “to help people developing suicide-related content to create messages that are strategic, safe, positive, and make use of relevant guidelines and best practices.”
Safe Build Alliance – Mental Health & Suicide Prevention connects users to resources that are specific to Oregon as well as other resources on suicide prevention.
- How to Move from Awareness to Action in Suicide Prevention and Mental Health Promotion – Guidebook on Training Program
- A Construction Industry Blueprint: Suicide Prevention in the Workplace
- Grief Support Groups (Oregon only)
American Foundation for Suicide Prevention “raises awareness, funds scientific research and provides resources and aid to those affected by suicide.”
CDC – Suicide Prevention topic page
- Mental Health – topic page
- Preventing Suicide: A Technical Package of Policy, Programs, and Practices – a select group of strategies based on the best available evidence to prevent suicide
- Suicide Resources – list of articles and publications, data sources, general resources, and coping with stress resources
- Preventing Suicide Through a Comprehensive Public Health Approach – article
International Programs
- Mental Mates – Australia Katherine Region for the building and construction industry
- Mates Helping Mates: A History of Mates in Construction Queensland (2008-2018) – a look back of 10 years of the Mental Mates program
Opioids and Suicide Research
- Understanding Links among Opioid Use, Overdose, and Suicide – journal article
- Opioid Use Disorders and Suicide: A Hidden Tragedy – National Institute on Drug Abuse blog post
Articles
- A Construction Company Embraces Frank Talk About Mental Health To Reduce Suicide, NPR, December 12, 2019
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IF YOU OR SOMEONE YOU KNOW NEEDS IMMEDIATE HELP, PLEASE CONTACT THE: National Suicide Prevention Lifeline— a free and confidential (U.S.) resource that connects individuals with skilled, trained counselors 24/7. Call 988 or 1-800-273-TALK (1-800-273-8255) |
[1] Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Web-based Injury Statistics Query and Reporting System (WISQARS). https://www.cdc.gov/injury/wisqars/index.html