In 2020, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found that men working in construction have one of the highest suicide rates compared to other industries. Their rate of suicide is about four times higher than the general population, according to an OSHA press release.
While the CDC continues its research to understand the disparity, OSHA has formed a task force to raise awareness of the types of stress that can push construction workers into depression and toward suicide. The task force encourages industry employers to share and discuss available resources with their workers, according to the release.
The task force is also calling on industry to take part in a weeklong Suicide Prevention Safety Stand-Down, September 6-10, to raise awareness about the unique challenges construction workers face.
“Work-related stress can have severe impacts on mental health and without proper support may lead to substance abuse and even suicide,” stated Acting Assistant Secretary of Labor for Occupational Safety and Health Jim Frederick. “Workers in construction face many work-related stressors that may increase their risk factors for suicide, such as the uncertainty of seasonal work, demanding schedules and workplace injuries that are sometimes treated with opioids.”
View a video (below) on suicide prevention that Acting Assistant Secretary Frederick recently shared with task force members.
