The construction industry is not immune to the mental health challenges that affect individuals across all walks of life. To address the alarming rates of suicide in the industry and prioritize the mental health and wellbeing of construction workers, implementing comprehensive suicide prevention programs on jobsites is crucial. These programs provide a safety net, offering support, awareness, and resources to workers in need. By creating an environment that fosters mental health and reduces stigma, construction companies can save lives, promote wellbeing, and cultivate a culture of compassion and support.
Implementation Tactics:
Training and education: Conduct regular training sessions to raise awareness about suicide prevention, mental health, and the warning signs of distress. Provide workers with the knowledge and skills necessary to recognize and respond to individuals who may be at risk. Collaborate with mental health professionals or organizations to deliver specialized training programs tailored to the unique challenges faced by construction workers.
Support networks: Establish support networks within the construction community, such as peer support groups or confidential helplines, where workers can seek assistance and guidance. Encourage open dialogue about mental health, creating a safe space for individuals to share their struggles and seek support without fear of judgment or retaliation.
Accessible resources: Provide easily accessible resources within the jobsite environment, such as brochures, posters, and digital displays that offer information on mental health, suicide prevention hotlines, and local mental health services. Ensure that workers are aware of available resources and know how to access them confidentially.
Behavioral Science Principles:
Social support and connectedness: Suicide prevention programs capitalize on the principle of social support and connectedness. By fostering a sense of community and belongingness within the construction industry, these programs encourage individuals to seek help and support from their peers, reducing feelings of isolation and promoting overall mental wellbeing.
Mental health literacy: Suicide prevention programs enhance mental health literacy by increasing knowledge and awareness about mental health issues, risk factors, and available support resources. This empowers workers to recognize warning signs, provide appropriate support, and seek help for themselves or their colleagues, ultimately reducing the stigma associated with mental health challenges.
Normative influence and destigmatization: Suicide prevention programs challenge the stigma surrounding mental health by promoting open conversations and destigmatizing help-seeking behaviors. By emphasizing that seeking support is a sign of strength, not weakness, these programs create a culture where workers feel comfortable reaching out for assistance and are more likely to support their colleagues in times of need.
Sources:
Batterham, P. J., et al. (2014). Suicide stigma and suicide literacy in construction workers. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 11(6), 5952-5965. doi:10.3390/ijerph110605952
Drum, D. J., et al. (2009). The role of social support in preventing suicide: A systematic review of longitudinal studies. Suicide and Life-Threatening Behavior, 39(3), 308-330. doi:10.1521/suli.2009.39.3.308
Milner, A., et al. (2018). Suicide in construction: A systematic review of rates, risk factors, methods, and prevention strategies. Safety Science, 109, 1-10. doi:10.1016/j.ssci.2018.05.018
Nieuwenhuijsen, K., et al. (2020). Suicide prevention through means restriction: Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. The Lancet Psychiatry, 7(10), 862-864. doi:10.1016/S2215-0366(
