When you think of the toll construction takes on its workers, you might think of the long days, the back aches, and the tired muscles. But the physical price pales in many ways to the larger effect on workers’ mental health.
Think about this: About 1,000 construction workers die each year from work-related accidents or incidents. But almost five times more die from suicide. That’s why construction is ranked among the industries with the highest rate of deaths by suicide by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Many factors contribute to why people choose to die by suicide, but the prevalence of substance use among construction workers plays a large role. Cal Beyer, Senior Director of SAFE Workplaces at SAFE Project (a non-profit dedicated to helping people overcome substance use and mental health challenges) discusses the connection between suicide and substance misuse, and what contractors and crews can do to promote better mental health during September’s National Suicide Prevention Month – and every day.
A growing suicide crisis
Over the past two decades, suicide has become a growing crisis in the United States. About 49,000 people die by suicide each year, an increase of about 35% since 1999, with suicide rates reaching their peak post-pandemic. The construction industry has been hit particularly hard, with a suicide rate that is four times greater than the national average.
During this time, researchers identified a significant substance misuse problem within the construction industry. Along with those employed in mining, construction workers had the highest rate of heavy alcohol use. What’s more, construction had the highest rate of drug overdose deaths among 20 occupations.
The connection between suicide and substance misuse
How are suicide and substance misuse intertwined? In many cases, it comes down to the physical demands of the job, Beyer suggests.
Construction workers, especially those who are older, often suffer from musculoskeletal injuries – either from an accident or years on the job. To soothe their pain, workers may turn to alcohol or opioids, which in turn can lead to addiction. And then once these workers have a substance use disorder, they may experience divorce, financial difficulties, child custody issues, or legal issues in the form of arrests – including DWI, for example.
Faced with these mounting hardships, workers may see no other path forward than suicide.
Employers’ role in helping to prevent suicide
As daily witnesses on the job-site, contractors have the opportunity to spot suicide risk factors among their crews. Like any employees with mental health distress, workers may be sad or depressed or openly talk about being hopeless or a burden to others. According to the Construction Industry Alliance for Suicide Prevention, there are also warning signs specific to construction workers:
- Decreased productivity
- Increased conflict among co-workers
- Near-incidents and injuries
- Decreased problem-solving ability
- Increased tardiness and absenteeism
But it takes more than being aware to raise awareness. According to Beyer, employers need to help establish a culture of trust by:
- Letting employees know that it’s okay not to be okay, that addiction isn’t a character flaw but a chronic disease, and that the workplace is a place of safety and peer support.
- Educating workers about risks, including ways to avoid musculoskeletal injuries, and pointing them toward resources.
- Helping to reduce the stigma around mental health. There’s a myth that talking about suicide promotes it – the opposite is actually true: talking about it enables people to seek help.
Employers and workers can join SAFE Project’s No Shame Movement by signing a pledge to end stigma and support others in talking about their own challenges.
Contractors can also take advantage of SAFE Workplaces training and resources to promote wellness and help save lives. Beyer, who also serves on the Executive Committee for the National Action Alliance for Suicide Prevention, recommends:
- Conducting Toolbox Talks around suicide prevention and substance use.
- Incorporating similar education in new hire onboarding.
- Displaying posters on-site; posting QR codes with resource information in restrooms, breakrooms, and porta-potties; and handing out wallet cards listing crisis hotlines and health benefits information.
Workers are not alone – help is always available
Workers thinking about suicide and needing help immediately can call or text 988 from their phone for the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, where they’ll be connected to counselors trained to help them or lead them to the right resources.
Workers can also use the Crisis Text Line by texting HELP to 741741 to connect with a volunteer Crisis Counselor.
These resources can be used by people worried about a loved one in crisis who may need support.
Individuals who use drugs should create a safety plan to prevent overdose, Beyer said. Key components include knowing the signs of an overdose, never using alone, listing out your emergency contacts, and carrying naloxone, which can reverse an opioid overdose.
Partnering for change
The most immediate danger facing individuals thinking about suicide is self-harm. But there are other significant safety risks for construction workers experiencing a mental health crisis. If they lose focus or are easily distracted on the job-site, the results could be life-altering.
At Builders Mutual, we understand and appreciate how mental health and behavioral health impact overall job-site safety. That’s why we’re proud to partner with organizations like SAFE Project to educate our contractor customers about the importance of suicide prevention and the role of substance misuse. Our goal: to bring this crisis out of the shadows so more people can receive the help they need to begin recovery.
This September, register your company’s participation in Construction Suicide Prevention Week. Then check out these organizations that are helping to normalize the conversation around suicide prevention:
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