The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recently reported that the suicide rate for men in construction and excavation was five times greater than the rate of all other work-related fatalities in the construction industry, and these workers are four times more likely to end their own lives than people in the general population. To assist workers in the construction industry, the U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration has joined a task force of construction industry partners, unions and educators to raise awareness of the work stresses seen as the causes of depression and the thoughts and acts of suicides of construction workers.

Coinciding with Construction Suicide Prevention Week, the task force is calling on construction industry employers, trade groups and other stakeholders to join OSHA’s Suicide Prevention Safety Stand-Down from Sept. 5 – 9. This weeklong event seeks to raise awareness of unique mental health challenges facing construction workers by asking employers to pause work for a moment to share information and resources and urge employees to seek help if needed.

The 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline is a federally funded project designed to improve crisis services and advance suicide prevention for U.S. residents. Supported by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, formerly the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, provides free and confidential emotional support to people in suicidal crisis or emotional distress. Available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, the 998 lifeline is a national network of more than 200 local crisis centers, combining custom local care and resources with national standards and best practices.