May is Mental Health Awareness Month and we are talking about it! In order to break the stigma and create safe environments for these discussions we have to make time every month, every day and in every meeting for this issue.
According to the CDC, construction has the highest suicide rate of all industries, at 53.2 suicides per 100,000 workers. There are many reasons why construction workers are so prone to facing mental health issues that can result in substance abuse and suicidal thoughts. One of the biggest factors is that 89 percent of construction workers are men. Generally speaking, men underreport mental health issues and are therefore less likely to receive appropriate treatment. It’s not a coincidence that men are also more likely to abuse drugs and alcohol and commit suicide, both of which are extreme forms of self-treatment for chronic mental health problems.
Help us change by starting to say:
• It’s okay not to be okay
• Create a safe space
• Listen without judgment, blame, shame, or criticism
• Don’t minimize someone’s challenge
• Don’t compare challenges
Construction Industry Alliance for Suicide Prevention