Suicide Prevention Within the Workplace
September 2024 marks National Suicide Prevention Month which is a great time and opportunity to raise awareness, shift stigma, spread hope, and share important information to people that could be affected.
Over the last few years, OSHA has been trying to raise awareness to employers on recognizing and promote workplace mental health and suicide prevention awareness. They continue to push for a call to action with recent news releases from both Cal/OSHA and Federal OSHA with more emphasize on the Construction Industry. Designating the month of September is part of the national strategy for suicide prevention.
Recent CDC research shows that there has been an alarming rise in construction suicides. It was estimated that 6,000 construction workers died by suicide in 2022 which was an increase from 2021. There are many contributing factors to these numbers which can include long work hours, physical labor, long timeframes being away from family and friends, turning to opioids or other drugs for self-medication which could lead to addiction, life-changing injuries, and the traditional masculine mindset that prevents workers from talking about their mental health.
Cal/OSHA Encourages Employers and Workers to Raise Awareness of Construction Suicide Prevention Week
During September 9 – 13, there will be a focus on raising awareness through Construction Suicide Prevention Week which Cal/OSHA has been highly encouraging employers and workers to participate in. This call out to employers aims to help leaders utilize this unique opportunity to ensure their workers feel comfortable with addressing mental health issues and eliminating the stigma within construction workers to keep troubling thoughts to themselves and bring awareness about suicide prevention. After all, our main goal is to save lives and help eliminate thoughts of suicide.
Preventative Measures
Even though the main focus with construction workers is during September 9 – 13 for Construction Suicide Prevention Week, this doesn’t mean employers should stop implementing these preventative measures once the week is over. Employers can continue change the conversation by doing their part to provide resources such as an Employee Assistance Program (EAP) or incorporate OSHA’s 5 simple steps to help prevent suicides in the workplace:
- Be Aware – Everyone can help prevent suicide. Be dedicated to raising awareness on this issue. Mental health and suicide can be difficult to talk about, especially with work colleagues, but your actions can make a difference. When you work closely with others, you may sense when something is wrong.
- Pay Attention – Know the warning signs of suicide. There is no single cause for suicide but there are warning signs. Changes in behavior, mood, or even what they say may signal someone is at risk. Take these signs seriously. It could save a life.
- Reach Out – Ask “Are you okay?” If you are concerned about a coworker, talk with them privately, and listen without judgment. Encourage them to reach out to your Employee Assistance Program (EAP), the human resources (HR) department, or a mental health professional. Talk to others about suicide prevention & take action raising awareness about suicide prevention.
- Take Action – If someone is in crisis, stay with them and get help. If you believe a coworker is at immediate risk of suicide, stay with them until you can get further help. Contact emergency services or the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. Educate yourself on the importance of mental health and how it can affect you and others around you.
- Learn More – There are many suicide prevention resource centers. • Call or text 988 which is the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. • Visit the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (www. afsp. org) to learn more about suicide risk factors, warning signs, and what you can do to help prevent suicide.
