According to the Centers for Disease Prevention, construction occupations have the highest rate of suicide, as well as the highest number of suicides across all occupational groups. To combat these statistics, contractors, unions, associations, industry service providers and project owners must work together to STAND up for suicide prevention.

Working in the building and construction trades is a challenging career. There are high productivity demands on the workforce to meet deadlines, as well as working conditions that can often be extreme. Analysts blames several factors. They include a competitive, high-pressure environment, alcohol and substance abuse, separation from families and often long stretches without work.

 

The bad news is that coronavirus is leading to extreme rates of anxiety as well.

DID YOU KNOW?

 

  • The suicide rate in construction occupations is 49.4/100,000 – that is nearly 4 times greater than the national average and 5 times greater than that of all other construction fatalities combined.

 

  • The suicide rate in working age adults has increased 40% in less than 2 decades
  • All levels of the construction workforce are at increased risk of suicide – from laborers to skilled trades to management
  • Suicide is the 10th leading cause of death overall in the US, 2nd leading cause of death in those under the age of 34 and 4th leading cause of death in those 35 – 54

 

According to the recent study from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more male construction workers take their lives than any other industry.

 

Keys to Suicide Prevention and Treatment

Studies show that education and being proactive for treatment are the means to bringing the count of suicide victims down. One of the ways the construction industry has responded to the alarming rate of worker suicides is through the creation o

f the Construction Industry Alliance for Suicide Prevention. Chairman Michelle Walker said the organization’s goal is simple but critical: to raise awareness.

“We need to make people aware of just how big this problem is and how many lives we lose every day to suicide. We have to attack the disease, not the victims. Men in construction have the ‘tough guy’ job site mentality that they don’t need any help from anyone. That has to change. If we see someone with problems on the job, we should reach out to them and ask if they need help. That has to come not just from the employers, but from their fellow workers, as well.”

 

The CDC stresses that suicide prevention on the construction site is critical because it’s where many workers spend most of their time.

Friends and family can help spot and prevent suicide, too. Some of the signs to watch out for are increased tardiness and absenteeism, decreased productivity and self-confidence, isolation from co-workers and agitation and increased conflict among co-workers.

 

Another factor to prevention is convincing those that live with conditions such as depression or bipolar disorder that they are not to blame. They are suffering from a disease, just like anyone who is suffering from cancer or heart disease and needs treatment.

Help is Available

If you or someone you know is suffering, you are not alone.

Here are the warning signs that someone you know may be at immediate risk for suicide.

HAVE YOU OR SOMEONE YOU KNOW EXHIBITED ONE OR MORE WARNING SIGNS?

  • Feeling sad or depressed most of the time
  • Talking about feeling trapped or wanting to die
  • Extreme mood swings
  • Increased use of alcohol or drugs
  • Decreased self-confidence
  • Feeling hopeless and helpless
  • Sleeping too much or too little
  • Feeling anxious, agitated or reckless
  • Withdrawing from family and friends
  • Talking about being a burden to others

WARNING SIGNS SPECIFIC TO CONSTRUCTION WORKERS INCLUDE

  • Decreased productivity
  • Increased conflict among co-workers
  • Near hits, incidents and injuries
  • Decreased problem-solving ability
  • Increased tardiness and absenteeism

These signs should prompt you to immediately call the U.S. National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255),  or text the Crisis Text Line at 74174 for access to free, 24/7 support.

We are all in this together.