WASHINGTON, Sept. 1—On the first day of Suicide Prevention Month 2022, Associated Builders and Contractors calls on the entire construction industry to strengthen total human health among its workers and decrease the number of deaths by suicide.

In 2020, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported that the construction industry had one of the highest rates of death by suicide among their workers, 5,242 in 2018, which was five times higher than U.S. construction worker fatalities on jobsites.

“This is a national tragedy, and we must end these unprecedented, unacceptable and devastating deaths among our colleagues,” said Greg Sizemore, ABC vice president of health, safety, environment and workforce development. “Construction workers work with tools every day, and we must equip these 7.7 million workers with the tools they need to prioritize mental health and protect their emotional wellbeing. They will use them.”

“It is time to shatter the stigma surrounding mental health issues with the goal of creating a zero-suicide industry,” said Sizemore. “Employers can build a resilient workforce by providing access to resources to improve total human health: physical, mental, emotional, social, mental, intellectual, financial, occupational and spiritual wellness.”

Through its partnership with the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, ABC provides construction workers and employers with resources including free suicide prevention training, the Suicide Prevention Lifeline call center, the Crisis Text Line, toolbox talks and speakers who can provide in-person, recorded and online education on suicide awareness, prevention and postvention. And under a new federal program, help-seekers can simply call 988 to connect to mental health caregivers. Visit preventconstructionsuicide.com to learn more.