Building Support: Confronting Suicide in the Construction Industry

Observed September 8–12, 2025, Construction Suicide Prevention Week highlights the industry’s urgent mental health crisis while promoting peer support, awareness, and life-saving resources for workers.

• By Stasia DeMarco
• Sep 03, 2025

The construction industry carries the tragic distinction of one of the highest suicide rates of any profession—more than four times the national average. According to CDC data, 53.3 construction workers per 100,000 die by suicide, making it the second-highest rate across all industries. With millions employed in construction in the U.S., the toll is staggering. To raise awareness and provide resources, Construction Suicide Prevention Week will be observed September 8–12, 2025.

Angela Crawford, a marketing professional and steering committee member for Construction Suicide Prevention Week, is working to help the industry confront this crisis. While she doesn’t come to the work from a personal tragedy—as many advocates do—she brings her expertise in communications to amplify life-saving messages across the industry.

“It seems like there’s nobody who hasn’t been impacted by suicide,” Crawford says. “When I heard the statistics in construction, it was clear that we had to do more to reach workers where they are.”

Why Construction?

Several factors converge to make construction workers uniquely vulnerable. The industry is male-dominated, and men die by suicide at higher rates than women. The work itself is physically demanding and risky; injuries can mean lost wages, job insecurity, or reliance on pain medication. Financial stress, substance misuse, and easy access to firearms—more common among construction workers than many other professions—add to the risk.

Isolation also plays a role. Many construction jobs require workers to spend long stretches away from home, traveling several hours or even staying near job sites for weeks at a time. Without close support networks, stress can fester.

Crawford adds that cultural norms on job sites often exacerbate the situation. “There’s a toughness culture. When we put out information about stand downs or moments of silence, sometimes the reaction is laughter, like ‘this isn’t a real issue.’ That stigma makes it harder for workers to take off the mask and admit when they’re struggling.”

Building Community and Peer Support

This year’s Construction Suicide Prevention Week theme emphasizes peer support, and Crawford says that approach resonates strongly with workers.

“If you’re away from family and friends, you need colleagues you can lean on,” she says. “Something as simple as checking in with someone can make the difference between them making a tragic decision or finding the help they need.”

Peer-to-peer connection, Crawford explains, often feels safer than approaching HR or a supervisor, where workers fear disclosure could risk their jobs. Toolbox Talks, available in English and Spanish, are among the initiative’s most widely used resources. These sessions cover suicide warning signs, active listening skills, and even walk workers through what happens when someone calls the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, removing uncertainty that can keep people from reaching out.

A Growing Movement

Since its start five years ago with a small webinar of 60 attendees, Construction Suicide Prevention Week has grown exponentially. In 2024, nearly half a million workers participated in activities, from stand downs to toolbox talks. With 7.5 to 8 million construction workers in the U.S., organizers believe there is still significant room to expand.

“The ultimate goal is that someday, we don’t need a Construction Suicide Prevention Week because there’s no longer suicide in construction,” Crawford says. “That’s a long way off, but every year we can reach more people, reduce stigma, and normalize conversations about mental health.”

Looking Ahead

Crawford envisions a future where mental health support is as embedded in construction as hard hats and steel-toed boots. Some companies already offer “wellness time off” for therapy or exercise, while others bring health trailers directly onto job sites with both physical and mental health services. Contracts are even starting to include mental health provisions, ensuring that resources are available alongside traditional safety services.

“In five or ten years, I want to see saturation,” she says. “Not just isolated examples of creativity, but an industry where these supports are everywhere.”

Resources and How to Help

Construction Suicide Prevention Week provides free resources for companies and workers, from toolbox talks to awareness campaigns. Crawford urges anyone participating to let organizers know—though registration isn’t required—because reporting helps fund more resource development and track reach.

“Every step matters,” she says. “Checking in with a peer, having a conversation, participating in a stand down—these small actions build a culture where people know they’re not alone.”

For more information and resources, visit Construction Suicide Prevention Week.