Partnering to prevent suicide in the construction industry

“September is Suicide Prevention Month. During this yearly observance, many organizations place special emphasis on mental health and suicide prevention – including those in the construction industry where suicide rates of workers are alarmingly high, according to a NIOSH Science Blog.

Overall, suicide rates in the U.S. have increased, and it has been the 10th leading cause of death since 2008.  Additionally, a recent Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) MMWR found during late June 2020, 40 percent of U.S. adults reported struggling with mental health or substance use and that 11 percent of U.S. adults seriously considered suicide.

Suicide is an increasingly serious public health problem caused by many different problems and exacerbated by risk factors rising from the global COVID-19 pandemic.  As people experience problems with unemployment, jobs or finances; housing; health; relationships; mental health; increased substance use; or the loss of a loved one the risk for suicide could increase.”