American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, Bechtel Partner to Prevent Construction Worker Suicides

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The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention and Bechtel recently entered a multiyear partnership dedicated to saving lives in the construction community lost to suicide. The new partnership will reach 500,000 U.S. construction workers over five years through industry-specific programs and resources developed by AFSP and Bechtel. The general contractor’s $7-million commitment to AFSP will fund the effort and is the largest-ever pledge received by AFSP. The construction industry has one of the highest suicide rates of any profession in the U.S. In fact, the number of suicides in the industry is nearly five times higher than the number of lives … Read more

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Faith Technologies Incorporated Receives Mental Health Visionary Award from Construction Working Minds

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Faith Technologies Incorporated received the Mental Health Visionary Award at the third annual Construction Working Minds Summit in Kansas City, Missouri. This award recognizes construction organizations and leaders advancing employee well-being through mental health promotion and suicide prevention programs. “Achieving the Mental Health Visionary Award as a first-time applicant demonstrates FTI’s commitment to the total health and well-being of our team members,” said Alyssa Kwasny, wellness program director at FTI. “Through our Culture of Care, we continuously enable a positive and stigma-free environment where workplace mental health conversations are normalized.” FTI was recognized in the “Large Construction Company” category, designated … Read more

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Mental Wellness in Construction

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By Elizabeth Crowley Construction workers have always played a visible role in our nation’s prosperity and economic health. After all, they literally build our cities, go to heights where few other people venture and help modernize our world. Construction workers are known for their strength, determination and grit, but there is also a darker and, sadly, unconfronted reality to their work environment that needs more attention. Namely, the high rates of substance abuse, suicide and depression among our workforce. In fact, construction workers are five times more likely to die from suicide than from work-related injuries, and four times more … Read more

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Research Projects Focus on Preventing Suicide and Opioid-Related Deaths in Construction

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In January 2023, CPWR invited proposals from construction professionals and researchers across the U.S. to tackle the issue of suicide and opioid-related deaths in the construction sector. Nineteen proposals were submitted and reviewed by experts, resulting in five projects receiving $50,000 each from a private donor. The evaluation of programs and interventions for their efficacy and scalability was a top priority in the selection process. The researchers will report on their findings in 2024. Evaluating the Implementation and Effectiveness of New Peer-Support Programs in Two Building Trades Unions — Washington University in St. Louis The Greater St. Louis Construction Laborers … Read more

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Boldt Launches Program to Focus on Mental Health

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Suicide is the leading cause of construction fatalities and suicide rates in the construction industry are four times the national average. According to studies by the Centers for Disease Control, suicide rates in the U.S. working population increased 34% from 2000-16 and is the leading cause of violent death for men in the construction industry. In response to these alarming statistics, The Boldt company implemented a suicide awareness and prevention program in 2021 using peer-to-peer “gatekeepers” to provide help and referrals for co-workers. Today, 88 trained gatekeepers are at jobsites and offices nationwide. They are clearly identified by purple stickers … Read more

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