Mental Health & Suicide Prevention
Construction is the second highest-rated industry affected by suicide.
As such, it is an industry imperative to shatter the mental health stigma and create caring cultures within our companies. The Construction Industry Alliance for Suicide Prevention was established to provide and disseminate information and resources for suicide prevention and mental health promotion in construction.
“In this male-dominated industry, the stoic, macho ‘tough guy’ culture creates barriers to seeking help and acknowledging emotional problems.” - Dr. Sally Spencer-Thomas, CEO and Co-Founder of the Carson J Spencer Foundation, clinical psychologist, mental health advocate, and survivor of her brother’s suicide.
Construction Suicide Prevention Week 2024
September is National Suicide Prevention Month. Every year the construction industry dedicates a week to raising awareness about the unique challenges workers face that lead to suicide, along with what we, as a community, can do to prevent it. The construction industry has the second highest rate of suicide in the U.S. at 53.3 per 100,000 workers, according to the Center for Disease Control (CDC).
Construction Suicide Prevention Week is September 9-13, 2024. Organizations have the opportunity to promote an important mental health awareness initiative aimed at those who may need it most. By starting the conversation, breaking the stigma around mental health, and providing valuable resources, organizations demonstrate their commitment to the well-being of their employees and contribute to a universal effort to save lives.
This leads to a more informed and supportive workplace, helping to prevent tragedies and improve overall productivity and morale.
Explore videos, Toolbox Talks and helpful links in the official resource library to plan your company's activities for Construction Suicide Prevention Week. Locate who to call in different crises and construction employer resources to implement in the workplace to effective support mental wellness among workers through this library.
Commit your organization to participating in Construction Suicide Week today!
This webinar explores the impact of the opioid epidemic on the workplace and strategies for navigating this issue. Speakers discuss the opioid crisis' effects on employee productivity, safety, well-being and effective prevention measures.
Sign up for the 2024 Construction Suicide Prevention Week Webinar on September 12: From Awareness to Action: Workplace Mental Wellness for Contractors of Any Size. Representatives from large, medium and small contractors will share actionable steps they've taken to make mental wellness part of their workplace culture. They'll talk about obstacles they've overcome and where they've seen success, and attendees will be encouraged to share their own workplace best practices in this interactive webinar session.
2024 National Stand-Down
The rate of death by suicide for construction workers is 5.5 times the rate of all other construction fatalities on the jobsite. The rate of suicide in construction is more than four times higher than the general population. (Source: BLS) With more than 8 million (and rising) workers in the industry, it is critical that we place as much focus on mental health in our workforce as much as we do the physical.
Beginning in 2024, the construction industry will come together in a powerful moment of remembrance to honor those we've lost and to re-commit to preventing further loss of life at the start of Construction Suicide Prevention Week. To show your commitment to getting every person home and back to the jobsite healthy every day, join Construction Suicide Prevention Week on Monday, September 9th for one minute of silence during our national stand-down to honor all lives lost to suicide. Register your company's participation here and visit the Construction Suicide Prevention website for more details.
Toolbox Talks from Construction Suicide Prevention Week (English)
Toolbox Talks (Spanish)
