OSHA has partnered with the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP) to promote awareness of mental health in the construction industry and develop tools for the prevention of suicide. September 5 – 9 is Construction Suicide Prevention Week and the month of September is Suicide Prevention month.
“Suicide is a leading cause of death among working-age adults in the United States. It deeply impacts workers, families, and communities,” says Doug Parker, assistant secretary of labor for OSHA. “OSHA is proud to join with the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention to eliminate barriers to getting help and promote the mental well-being of all workers.”
The partners will develop tools and programs that aim to combat the higher-than-average suicide rate in the construction industry (53.3 suicides per 100,000 workers). The partners will provide tools on OSHA’s Preventing Suicides webpage.
Workers seeking help can dial 988 for help or chat online at 988lifeline.org/chat. Managers and coworkers can learn how to recognize the signs through OSHA’s Suicide Prevention: 5 Things You Should Know poster.