The Construction Suicide Prevention Week is happening from September 9 – 13, 2024, reminding us of the importance of looking out for one another.
In our job, safety is at the forefront of everything we do. We wear hard hats, harnesses, and high-visibility vests to protect ourselves on the job, but what about protecting our mental health?
The reality is that suicide rates in construction are alarmingly high – construction workers are at the highest risk of suicide compared to other industries according to the CDC. This is why Construction Suicide Prevention Week is so crucial in addressing and raising awareness about mental health.
Here are a few activities we can integrate into our operations during the week:
1. Watch Videos to Educate and Connect
Understanding the issue is the first step to making a change. During Construction Suicide Prevention Week, we have access to videos that share stories and discussions from past webinars. These videos offer insight into the pressures we face in our industry—long hours, job insecurity, physical strain—and how they contribute to mental health struggles.
Watching these videos as a team can open up conversations that might otherwise be difficult to start. We’re not just co-workers; we’re a community, and educating ourselves about the signs of distress could save a life.
2. Attend Webinars for Expert Guidance
Webinars are another vital resource. They bring together mental health professionals, safety experts, and industry leaders to discuss practical solutions for preventing suicide in construction. By attending these sessions, we can learn how to recognize warning signs, approach conversations about mental health, and create a workplace culture that prioritizes well-being.
These webinars are available throughout the week, and attending them doesn’t just help us as individuals—it equips us to support our entire team.
3. Register Our Participation to Show Solidarity
When we register our participation in Construction Suicide Prevention Week, we’re making a public commitment to the mental health and safety of our workforce. This is about standing up and saying that mental health matters just as much as physical safety on the job site.
By registering, we gain access to exclusive materials, including sample toolbox talks, social media toolkits, and agendas for stand-down events. Our participation helps raise awareness industry-wide and shows that we’re dedicated to making a difference.
4. Toolbox Talks: Let’s Have the Conversations That Matter
Toolbox talks are a staple of our daily routines, and during Construction Suicide Prevention Week, they can take on a new level of importance. The sample toolbox talks provided focus on mental health and suicide prevention, giving us a way to address these issues directly.
Whether we’re talking about managing stress, recognizing signs of mental health struggles, or sharing resources, these discussions can make a significant impact. Just like we discuss safety protocols to prevent accidents, we need to talk about mental health to prevent tragedies.
5. Use the Social Media Toolkit to Spread Awareness
Social media is a powerful tool to reach beyond our immediate circle. The Construction Suicide Prevention Week social media toolkit makes it easy for us to share key messages, statistics, and resources with our broader networks. By sharing thoughtfully crafted posts, powerful images, and critical information about mental health in construction, we can make a difference within our industry.
This toolkit helps us connect with our audience, showing that we care about more than just getting the job done—we care about the well-being of every worker on the site. Whether it’s sparking conversations, providing resources, or simply raising awareness, our posts can inspire others to take action and join the movement to prevent suicide in construction. Together, we can create a safer and more supportive community, both online and on the job.
6. Organize a Stand-Down Event Using the Sample Agenda
A stand-down is a dedicated time where work stops, and the focus shifts entirely to safety. During Construction Suicide Prevention Week, we can use the sample stand-down agenda to focus specifically on mental health and suicide prevention.
This event is a powerful way to bring attention to the issue and show our team that their well-being is a top priority. The agenda helps guide us through the key points to cover, making it easier to plan and execute a meaningful event that resonates with everyone.
For More Information and Resources
We’re not in this alone—there are countless resources available to help us during Construction Suicide Prevention Week and beyond. Here are among the resources that can help us raise awareness and take action:
Constructionsuicideprevention.com – where you’ll find a wealth of tools and materials.
OSHA provides several resources in both English and Spanish, including the following:
- Suicide Prevention: 5 Things You Should Know poster
- Role of Employers in Preventing Suicides handout
- Workplace Mental Health fact sheet
These resources are invaluable in spreading awareness and educating our teams.
Taking Action Together
We all play a role in preventing suicide in our industry. Construction Suicide Prevention Week gives us the tools and resources we need to take action. Whether we’re watching videos, attending webinars, registering our participation, or hosting stand-down events, every step we take can make a difference.
Let’s come together as employers and workers to support each other, look out for each other, and create a culture where mental health is a priority.