Construction Suicide Prevention Week Helps Employers Learn to Save Lives
The week will be held from September 5 to 9, 2022.
- By Alex Saurman
- Sep 07, 2022
This week, companies across the United States will be raising awareness about suicides in the construction industry. Construction is one of the industries with the highest rate of suicide. In 2016, the suicide rate for males in construction was 49.4 per 100,000 workers, according to the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH).
From September 5 to 9, 2022, Construction Suicide Prevention Week will be held to raise awareness of suicides in this occupation and help prevent suicide. Established in 2020, the week gives companies the opportunity to talk to workers about suicide prevention and educate them using resources.
The website for the week has resources such as toolbox talks, videos and flyers. It also suggests hosting a stand-down or a moment of silence during the week.
The National Construction Center: CPWR—The Center for Construction Research and Training has research findings, flyers, infographics and more for starting a conversation on suicide prevention. The Construction Industry Alliance for Suicide Prevention has toolbox talks, posters, OSHA resources and more.
If you want to learn more about suicide prevention at your workplace, organizations like the National Action Alliance for Suicide Prevention, NIOSH and the Suicide Prevention Resource Center have valuable resources.
Employers interested in registering for Construction Suicide Prevention Week can do so online. Last year, over 68,000 workers took part in the week.
If you or someone you know needs immediate help, call or text the suicide and crisis lifeline at 988.
About the Author
Alex Saurman is a former Content Editor for Occupational Health & Safety,who has since joined OH&S’s client services team. She continues to work closely with OH&S’s editorial team and contributes to the magazine.