CONSTRUCTION SUICIDE PREVENTION WEEK SEPT. 5-9, 2022

Preventing Suicides in Construction - 

For those who attended last week’s CSC Mental Health / Suicide Prevention meeting, we hope you found the presentation valuable.
 
Never before has mental health been so prominent in the workplace. The construction industry has been steadily addressing mental health and suicide prevention for the past 5 years.

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Based on the comments and feedback we received at last week's CSC meeting, AGC & NMRCA is working to secure an in-depth training with Cal Beyer in 2023, please stay tuned.

• Wallet cards for EE’s, “Suicide Prevention-Warning Signs” | This article (Click Here) describes the rationale for the wallet cards

If you’re interested in learning how to order some wallet cards for mental health and suicide prevention, you can take THESE to your printer. As of approx. 5 years ago, you can no longer obtain wallet cards in bulk from the US Govt Printing Office.
 
2 Main Options exist:

1. Buy the available style from the Construction Industry Alliance for Suicide Prevention CLICK HERE

2. Commercially print them yourself as an organization.  The attached art work  is for hardhat stickers (Click here) and wallet cards (Click here). You are welcome to design your own hardhat sticker with your logo. 

The following should be printer ready.

• Crisis Text Line: There is no Spanish version of Crisis Text Line wallet card –   To reach a Spanish volunteer counselor, text AYUDA to 741741
• ​English & Spanish versions of National Suicide Prevention Lifeline and LEARN

As a reminder: You’ll still have to assemble/package them into “Pocket Packets” using #5 size Coin Envelopes (Length = 5.5 inches; Width = 3.125 inches).
 
Effective 7/16/2022, the 3-digit 988 is now in effect, too..  There is not yet a great design for a wallet card or hardhat sticker promoting 988.

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For those who were unable to attend Cal Beyer’s presentation, please find the PPT and additional resources attached and below.

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Suicide Prevention Month Toolkit from Construction Industry Alliance for Suicide Prevention

1. Suicide Statistics for New Mexico – AFSP -- #4 highest state in US
       Rates for Trades Vary | Top 9

2. Joyages Videos on Suicide Prevention | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e_HgvgSWwJU

4 minutes:

• Sharing strategies and resources for leaders who want to incorporate suicide prevention into their organization's wellness practices. 

  • Building a caring culture

  • Incorporating mental health and suicide prevention into wellness programs and employee benefit programs

  • Practicing the 3 Vs of being VISIBLE, being VOCAL, and being VULNERABLE

4. https://cfma.org/articles/what-s-under-the-hardhat-mental-health-and-wellbeing-in-the-construction-industry-additional-qanda

6 minutes total – 2 questions:

• Beginning: What are best practices leading companies are doing to achieve a measurable impact from their EAPs

• 3:15 to end:  What is the best way to get a conversation started on suicide prevention

5. A 2-minute Toolbox Talk on Suicide Prevention & Opioids in Construction | Produced by WA Dept of Labor & Industries (in the public domain). This was filmed at my former employer with some of my former teammates.

6. Article for CFMA and ATSSA on Roadway Worker Safety

7. Burnout Blog – Small Changes Lead to Big Results – Center for Workplace Mental Health

   • Burnout Infographic -- Center for Workplace Mental Health

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RESOURCES FOR CONSTRUCTION EMPLOYERS
The construction industry has the second highest rate of suicide in the United States at 53.3 per 100,000 workers according to the Center for Disease Control (CDC). In the U.S. there are approximately 123 suicides per day that breaks down to one death every 12 minutes. (SafeBuild Alliance)
 
It will take all of us to prevent suicide. Luckily, there are many resources to help employers effectively support mental wellness among their workers.

1. Suicide Prevention: 5 Things You Should Know Poster

2. Suicide prevention Videos you can share:
   • From Construction Center of Excellence, featuring Cal Beyer, construction industry suicide prevention advocate
   • From RK, featuring RK Safety Manager Tom Alvarez, RK General Superintendent Michelle Brown and RK Vice President and COO Jon Kinning
   • 2020 Builders’ Talk: Suicide Prevention Town Hall, focused on suicide prevention, and featuring industry-leading experts offering resources, guidance and action steps for organizations.
   • Suicide prevention course from the University of Kansas Health System, featuring Stacie Stoltz, MSW, LSCSW

3. Toolbox Talks FROM AGC OF MISSOURI
   • Reduce the stigma
   • Warning signs
   • Starting the conversation
   • Suicide awareness
   • Suicide awareness and mental health series

4. Helpful Links | SafeBuild Alliance has created resources with action steps for employers:
   • Mental Health Awareness and Suicide Prevention for the Construction Industry – Start the conversation
   • Crisis line flyer
   • Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Toolbox Talk

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     Other Organizations with Resources
   •  American Foundation for Suicide Prevention | Provides resources and aid to those affected by suicide, including Risk Factors and Warning Signs.
   • CPWR – The Center for Construction Research and Training | Mental Health & Addiction
   • Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Suicide Prevention Webpage | Provides information on facts, risks and protective factors, prevention strategies, tips for dealing with stress, and other resources.
   • Construction Industry Alliance for Suicide Prevention (CIASP) | Provides resources, articles, and websites.
   • National Suicide Prevention Lifeline
   • #BeThe1To
   • Occupational Safety and Health Administration
   • Construction Working Minds | Provides resources on how to address workplace suicide for workers, managers, and industry associations.
   • 2 Tuff 2 Talk
   • The Center for Construction Research and Training (CPWR) - Opioid Resources | Provides resources to help prevent opioid deaths in construction.
   • Suicide in the Construction Industry: Breaking the Stigma and Silence: American Society of Safety Professionals | Provides recommendations on how to start a conversation in the industry, and three keys for providing help.
   • U.S. Department of Labor Office of Workers' Compensation Programs - Progress on Opioids: Protecting Federal Injured Workers | Provides resources to combat the opioid epidemic and reduce the potential for opioid misuse and addiction among injured federal workers.
   • U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs - Suicide Prevention | Provides resources for veterans and their loved ones, friends, and health care providers.

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If you're in crisis, there are options available to help you cope. You can also call the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at any time to speak with someone and get support. For confidential support available 24/7 for everyone in the United States, call 988.

• Call the new three-digit dialing code 988 or find online chat at 988lifeline.org/chat
• Para obtener información en español, llame al 1-888-628-9454 o visite el sitio web

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