SUICIDE PREVALENCE IN THE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY
A replicable model of mental
health success
For others interested in starting their
own suicide prevention and mental
health awareness program, Frost said
the keys are taking your time and doing
your research.
“There’s almost too much information
PRIMARY REASONS SECONDARY EFFECTS RESULTING FEELINGS
out there,” said Frost. “It’s important to find
1324
the right resources for your organization
and to make sure it’s effective before ramping
it up. If you roll out your new program
too quickly, it can lose its traction, its focus
and even its message.”
If someone hurts themselves on the job
site and needs first aid, they go to Frost.
If they’re missing a toe board, which is a
safety hazard, they go to Frost. Frost says
MENTAL HEALTH
we need to get to the point where we treat
mental health and suicide prevention like
any other safety hazard or health issue.
“The Need to Talk program was created
in Seattle,” said Frost. “I brought it to
Portland and it’s only been about a year,
but I’m willing to share it with whoever
wants to learn about it. I’d like to take
it further.” t
FARMING / FISHING
FORESTRY
#1 - 84.5%
CONSTRUCTION /
EXTRACTION
#2 - 53.3%
INSTALLATION /
MAINTENANCE / REPAIR
#3 - 47.9%
ARCHITECTURE /
ENGINEERING
#5 - 32.2%
RATE OF SUICIDE PER OCCUPATIONAL GROUP
CONSTRUCTION /
EXTRACTION
#1 - 10.8%
INSTALLATION /
MAINTENANCE /
REPAIR
#4 - 6.3%
ARCHITECTURE /
ENGINEERING
#17 - 2.2%
UNEMPLOYED
#19 - 1.9%
NUMBER OF SUICIDES BY OCCUPATIONAL GROUP
CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY: A SNAPSHOT OF MENTAL HEALTH DRIVERS
CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY OCCUPATIONAL GROUP RANKS 2ND IN SUICIDE PREVALENCE
CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY SUICIDE RATE 53.3%. HIGHEST AMONG MALES 52.5%.
780
274 228
MALE-DOMINATED
FIELD
LOW UTILIZATION
OR ACCESS TO MENTAL
HEALTHCARE AND EAPS
TOUGH GUY CULTURE MENTAL HEALTH STIGMA
HIGH-PRESSURE LEADS TO MISTAKES / FEAR OF RETALIATION
FAILURE / HUMILIATION
BUDGET SCHEDULE /
PRODUCTION SCHEDULE /
SAFETY
ACCULTURATION LANGUAGE BARRIERS / DISCRIMINATION /
UNEQUAL ACCESS TO RESOURCES
TRAVEL/REMOTE
LACK CONNECTION TO
FAMILY AND COMMUNITY
SKILL GAP TRAPPED IN
INDUSTRY/ROLE
SPECIALIZED SKILLSET /NO CROSS TRAINING /
NON-TRANSFERABLE SKILLS
SEASONAL EMPLOYMENT /
UNSTEADY, UNCERTAIN
WORK ASSIGNMENTS
JOB STABILITY FINANCIAL STRAIN
UNTRAINED/POOR
MANAGEMENT
POOR COMMUNICATION
AND CONFLICTING
MESSAGES/PRIORITIES
LACK OF CONTROL AND
SUPPORT
RAPID PACE OF CHANGE
AND SEQUENCE
UNCLEAR EXPECTATIONS
OR LACK OF ENFORCEMENT
ISOLATION
HELPLESS/HOPELESS
DEPRESSION
RELATIONSHIP
PROBLEMS
STRAINS AND
Graphic: Balfour Beatty
Construction Industry Occupational Group Ranks 2nd in Suicide Prevalence
www.piledrivers.org PILEDRIVER | 83
/www.piledrivers.org
/
