Editor’s note: This story focuses on the topic of mental health and suicide. If you or someone you know is having suicidal thoughts, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline.
The findings arrive as construction struggles with one of the highest suicide rates of any industry, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. In 2023 alone, about 5,000 construction worker deaths by suicide and nearly 16,000 overdoses occured, said Amber Trueblood, data center director at CPWR. “The more you encourage [construction workers] to engage with their coworkers and be a friend and be the helper, then I think that breaks down some barriers,” said Trueblood during the event. Many construction workers face long hours away from family, in addition to chronic pain or production pressure, said Chris Trahan Cain, executive director at CPWR. These factors then often intersect with opioid prescriptions. For that reason, CPWR is pushing resources such as physician alerts and alternative pain-management guides, as well as the organization’s Mental Health Resilience Training, which has nine discussion-based modules and bilingual toolbox talks. Construction firms are taking action as well.
Full story: https://www.constructiondive.com/news/mental-health-crisis-helper-suicide-prevention-week/760058/
