Safety, at its core, is about ensuring that every single one of us safely goes home the way we
came to work—both physically and mentally.
September is Suicide Prevention Awareness Month. We often talk about jobsite hazards
like falls, electrical shocks, and struck-by incidents—and rightfully so. However, the
hard truth is that our industry loses about five times more workers to suicide than to physical
workplace accidents.
Construction industry facts:
- Our industry has the second highest suicide rate among all other industries
- Roughly 5,000 lives are lost to suicide every year
- The suicide rate is four times greater for men than women
Suicide can affect any one of us regardless of age, gender, or background. Just like with any other hazard or risk we face, supporting and looking out for each other with a strong wingman mentality is crucial. You never know what someone may be going through and just how much an impact you can make.
If you or someone you know is struggling, you are not alone. Contact the Mental Wellbeing Center at 865-535-8558 for free and confidential help at work. You can also call or text 988 at any time. The National 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline has trained crisis counselors available 24/7/365 who can help.
