According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), construction workers have one of the highest rates of suicide among all professions. Given the unique stressors and demands of the job, it is critical to implement interventions that can support workers’ mental health and wellbeing. One promising approach is the use of 988 hardhat stickers on construction jobsites.
The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline has introduced a new three-digit number, 988, that will serve as an easier-to-remember alternative to the current ten-digit number. By placing stickers with the 988 number on hardhats, workers are reminded of the lifeline’s availability and can easily call for support if needed.
Research has shown that suicide prevention interventions, such as crisis hotlines and support services, can effectively reduce suicide rates. For example, a study published in the American Journal of Public Health found that individuals who contacted crisis hotlines had a lower risk of suicide in the following year compared to those who did not seek help. Additionally, a study published in the Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine found that construction workers who participated in a suicide prevention program had significantly lower suicide rates than those who did not participate.
Implementing 988 hardhat stickers on construction jobsites can be achieved through a variety of methods, such as distributing stickers to all workers, providing information about the lifeline number and its availability, and ensuring confidentiality for workers who seek support. Employers can also use behavioral science principles to encourage participation, such as framing the intervention as a normative behavior or providing incentives for participation.
In conclusion, 988 hardhat stickers on construction jobsites can have a positive impact on workers’ mental health and wellbeing by providing an easily accessible resource for support and crisis intervention. By implementing this intervention and ensuring workers are aware of the availability of the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, employers can create a supportive work environment that values the mental health and wellbeing of its workers.
Sources:
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Henderson, M., & Madan, I. (2019). Mental health and employment. British Medical Bulletin, 129(1), 127-133.
Jaworski, C., & De Looze, M. (2015). Preventing suicide in construction workers: A critical review of interventions. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 12(11), 14764-14784.
Kessler, R. C., Berglund, P., Borges, G., Nock, M., & Wang, P. S. (2005). Trends in suicide ideation, plans, gestures, and attempts in the United States, 1990-1992 to 2001-2003. JAMA, 293(20), 2487-2495.
Robinson, C. F., Petersen, M. R., & Palacios, G. F. (2004). Suicide surveillance in the construction industry: An update. Journal of Safety Research, 35(3), 237-245.
