The construction industry is raising awareness and encouraging open discussion about mental health and substance abuse to reduce suicide in the workforce. The COVID-19 pandemic has added stress, anxiety, and fear to contractors’ already high risk of suicide. We can all agree this is a scary subject and we need to address the public health crisis in our country. But how do we heal our workforce? Please use the following resources to help you spot warning signs, start the conversation, and provide support to those who need it – which can save lives. It takes construction professionals at all levels working together and with their risk partners to build a culture of caring and prevention.
This session was recorded as part of AGC’s 2021 Construction Risk Management Conference — Part 1: First-Half Outlook (Jan. 26-28, 2021). Learn more
Featured Presenters
- AGC of America Culture of CARE (Brynn Huneke, Director, Diversity & Inclusion and Member Engagement)
- CSDZ Worker Wellbeing and Suicide Prevention (Cal Beyer, VP Workforce Risk and Worker Wellbeing)
- Willis Towers Watson (WTW) Construction Industry Mental Wellness (Jonathan Oppenheim, South Regional Construction Leader)
In Recent AGC News*
- The Alaska Contractor “Employers Can Help Reduce Alaska’s Suicide Rates by Fostering Conversation” (Winter 2021)
- The Associated General Contractors of Wyoming News and Views “Building Awareness for Suicide Prevention in the Construction Industry” at pg. 20 (4th Quarter 2020)
- Constructor Magazine “Help Wanted: Risk of Relapse for Alcohol and Substance Abuse During and After COVID-19” (Oct. 15, 2020)
- Construction Employers Podcast – Ep. 35, 2 Tuff 2 Talk: Mental Health in Construction (Oct. 12, 2020)
*Content courtesy of CSDZ’s Cal Beyer, a national advocate for worker wellbeing in the construction industry.
National Resources
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) – NIOSH – Suicide and Occupation
- CDC Data on Suicide Risk (January 2020 report on suicide risk by industry and occupation)
- CDC COVID-19 Checklist for Employers and Employees (updated mental health guidelines for contractors)
- Construction Industry Alliance for Suicide Prevention (CIASP)
- Crisis Text Line (text “HEAL” to 741741)
- LEARN® Saves Lives Suicide Prevention Webinar for Construction Industry Professionals (presented by Hensel Phelps and Lakeside Industries)
- National Action Alliance for Suicide Prevention (theactionalliance.org) report “Surgeon General’s Call to Action to Implement the National Strategy for Suicide Prevention”
- National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (800-273-8255)
- OSHA – Construction Industry – Preventing Suicides
- Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA)
AGC National/Chapter Websites
- AGC of America and here
- Alabama AGC (The Construction Center)
- AGC of Alaska
- Chicagoland AGC
- AGC of Missouri
- AGC of Ohio
- Associated General Contractors of Northwest Ohio 2 Tuff 2 Talk
- AGC of Oregon
- AGC of Washington and here
These links are being provided for informational purposes only; they do not constitute an endorsement or an approval by the Associated General Contractors of America (AGC) of any of the products, services or opinions of the company or organization or individual. AGC bears no responsibility for the accuracy, legality or content of the external site or for that of subsequent links. Contact the external site for answers to questions regarding its content.