Silver Spring, MD — As elevated suicide rates continue to impact the construction industry, “showing up authentically and compassionately” is vital for supervisors or employees who think a co-worker is at immediate risk, one expert says.
Sonya Bohmann, executive director of the Construction Industry Alliance for Suicide Prevention, took part in a recent webinar hosted by CPWR – The Center for Construction Research and Training. The event focused on safe messaging guidelines for talking about suicide, and highlighted insights from a recent guide from CIASP and CPWR.
CPWR reported in an April data bulletin that 5,100 worker suicides were recorded in the construction industry in 2023. That represented a decrease of about 100 from the previous year, but still was 5.2 times greater than the 982 work-related fatalities recorded.
Although CIASP and CPWR developed separate communication sections for members of the media, presenters and trainers, and anyone having one-on-one conversations, experts say several best practices apply to everyone:
- “Check in” with yourself before presenting, training or starting a conversation on mental health.
- Be yourself and assess each situation individually. “You know your people better than anyone, so trust your intuition,” said Jessica Bunting, director of CPWR’s Research to Practice Initiative and at-large director of CIASP.
- Validate any problems or challenges someone is facing while providing and maintaining hope.
- Be prepared to assist anyone who’s struggling as they take the first steps to seek professional help or additional peer support.
“If you feel something is off with a friend or colleague, don’t be afraid of a little awkwardness to have that conversation,” Bunting said. “Then, just check in and make sure they’re OK.”
CIASP offers a glossary that clarifies terms and situations related to mental health and construction. (For a copy, please email Sonya Bohmann.)
One central messaging strategy Bunting discussed – using the phrase “died by suicide” instead of “committed suicide” – is aimed at helping mitigate the industry crisis.
“Individuals who die by suicide are victims, just like those who die from injury or illness,” Bunting said, “and by focusing on what happened to the victim rather than the action they took, we can change the conversation to reduce stigma and to make it easier for others to ask for help.”
OSHA advises anyone who thinks a co-worker may be at immediate risk of suicide to contact emergency services or the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline number – 988. Stay with the person until help arrives.
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