Mental Wellness & Health

Stopping the Stigmas, Myths, and Stereotypes

AGC Releases a Series of Mental Health PSAs to Combat the High Suicide Rates in Construction

Construction has one of the highest suicide rates of all major industry groups. AGC of America is launching a new effort to combat the silent epidemic of suicide and other mental health issues plaguing our workforce. As part of this effort, we are releasing a series of videos telling the stories of real industry professionals who have struggled with mental health. 

We hope that in sharing their stories, others will know they are not alone, and it is okay to seek help when it is needed. For more information and resources, visit agc.org/mental-health-suicide-prevention.

Awareness

• Mental health is a feeling of well-being where someone:
  • Understands their personal abilities
  • Copes with everyday life stresses
  • Works productively and successfully
  • Can contribute to their own community

• 83% of Construction Workers Have Experienced a Mental Health Issue.
  • Psychologically safe workplaces are imperative to the mental health of construction workers
  • “It is widely recognized that suicide rates amongst construction workers remain some of the highest.” – CIRP Executive Director Vicky Waldron
  • https://bcbuildingtrades.org/83-of-construction-workers-have-experienced-a-mental-health-issue/
  • Employers should develop an organizational culture of wellness, safety & understanding

• Mental Health Problems Affect Everyone https://www.mentalhealth.gov/basics/mental-health-myths-facts
  • Myth: Mental health problems don't affect me. 
  • Fact: Mental health problems are actually widespread.
  • In 2014, about:
  • One in five American adults experienced a mental health issue
  • One in 10 young people experienced a period of major depression
  • One in 25 Americans lived with a severe mental illness, such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, or major depression
  • Suicide is the 10th leading cause of death in the United States. It accounts for the loss of more than 41,000 American lives each year, more than double the number of lives lost to homicide. Learn more about mental health problems.
  
  

Risks & Signs

Anxiety, depression, suicidal thoughts, and more are as dangerous to worker safety as any more tangible jobsite threat, but these can’t be mitigated with caution tape.

Warning Signs Specific to Construction Workers Include:

• Decreased productivity
• Increased conflict among co-workers
• Near hits, incidents, and injuries
• Decreased problem-solving ability
• Increased tardiness and absenteeism
• https://preventconstructionsuicide.com/Are_You_at_Risk
• https://constructible.trimble.com/construction-industry/mental-health-in-construction-stats
• From laborers to executives, mental health affects all people indiscriminately. Your jobsite is not an exception.
• The suicide rate among the US working-age population increased 34 percent during 2000-2016.
  • In 2012 and 2015, suicide rates were highest among males in the Construction and Extraction occupational group (43.6 and 53.2 per 100,000 civilian noninstitutionalized working persons, respectively) 

Education

• Anyone can have anxiety or depression or another mental health diagnosis, affecting the way they think of themselves, relate to others, and interact with the world around them.
  • https://www.mentalhealth.gov/what-to-look-for

• A psychologically healthy workplace fosters employee health and well-being and enhances organizational performance across five key intervention areas; affecting the way they think of themselves, relate to others, and interact with the world around them.
  
  • Employee Involvement 
  • Work-Life Balance
  • Employee Growth & Development
  • Employee Recognition
  • Health & Safety
  • (https://www.apa.org/topics/workplace)

Resources and Training

• Construction Suicide Prevention from CFMA

  • Ten Action Steps Companies Can Take to Save Lives PDF DOWNLOAD 
  • Construciton + Suicide Prevention:  Why is This an Industry Imperative?  PDF DOWNLOAD

• AGC Culture of Care https://buildculture.org/  
• AGC MO Suicide Prevention Resources – Includes toolbox talks: CLICK HERE
• Suicide Prevention Resources https://www.sprc.org/

Ohio Support

 

• Ohio Cares Crisis Hotline: 1-800-273-8255
• Ohio Cares Resources: https://ohiocares.ohio.gov/ResourceMap


• Ohio NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness): https://namiohio.org/
• Ohio NAMI CareLine 1-800-720-9616


• Ohio Department of Mental Health & Addiction Services: https://mha.ohio.gov/
• Suicide Prevention Toolkit for Employers https://www.bitc.org.uk/toolkit/suicide-prevention-toolkit/
• Recovery Ohio – Opioid Crisis https://recoveryohio.gov/wps/portal/gov/recovery/
• Self-Screenings to Measure Your Risk - https://mha.ohio.gov/Families-Children-and-Adults/Screenings-and-Signs


• Ohio Local Alcohol, Drug, and Mental Health Board Listing: https://www.oacbha.org/mappage.php

National Support

• National Suicide Prevention Lifeline Call 1-800-273-8255, Text 741741
• National Suicide Prevention Resources: https://suicidepreventionlifeline.org/
• US Department of Health – SAMHSA – Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration: https://www.samhsa.gov/
• US Department of Health – SAMHSA National Helpline 1-800-662-HELP (4357)
• Mental Health First Aid: https://www.mentalhealthfirstaid.org/
• Shatterproof – Addiction Recovery: https://www.shatterproof.org/

Construction Industry Support

• Anonymous Online Screening – Checkup From the Neck Up: https://screening.mentalhealthscreening.org/cias
• CIASP – Construction Industry Alliance for Suicide Prevention: https://preventconstructionsuicide.com/
• STAND UP - Construction Suicide Prevention Pledge: CLICK HERE