Construction Groups Partner on Mental Health Awareness

Washington — Two construction safety organizations signed a Memorandum of Understanding on Sept. 24 to coordinate education and outreach efforts on worker mental health and suicide prevention. The agreement was announced during National Suicide Prevention Month.

Partnership Details

The Construction Industry Alliance for Suicide Prevention and Safety and Health and the Construction Safety Organization entered the MOU. According to Safety+Health Magazine, the groups stated their collaboration aims to help empower the entire industry.

The organizations focus on linking safety practices with mental health resources and suicide prevention programs.

Industry Data

Bureau of Labor Statistics data shows the construction industry suicide rate is four times greater than the general population rate. A CPWR – The Center for Construction Research and Training analysis found construction workers are about five times more likely to die from suicide than from a workplace injury.

Leadership Perspectives

CIASP Executive Director Sonya Bohmann stated that construction has always been an industry built on people coming together to accomplish something greater than any one individual could do alone, and that this partnership carries that same spirit forward. The statement noted that connecting safety, mental health and suicide prevention can help create workplaces where people feel supported, valued and empowered to look out for one another.

Safety and Health President Raffi Elchemmas said the partnership recognizes that safety is bigger than a hard hat, a harness or a regulation and is about the whole person. According to Safety+Health Magazine, the MOU was announced in a CIASP press release.