Background
Construction, Safety and Mental Health
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have found that men working in construction consistently have one of the highest suicide rates compared to other industries. Their rate of suicide is about four times higher than the general population. Many more construction workers suffer in other ways, long before suicide presents itself. Many struggle with depression, anxiety and substances use. All of these issues are amongst the primary determining factors for workplace safety; for years we've focused on personal protective equipment -- an important safety factor -- but have failed to address these key underlying antecedents to workplace injury.. Together, we can change this picture, but it requires a commitment on all of our behalf.
Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs)
EAPs are confidential counseling programs that have been demonstrated to work. Over 90% of Fortune 500 companies have an EAP. They save companies far more than their small cost: reducing turnover, absenteeism and improving productivity. EAPs proactively address employees' life problems, increase morale and employee focus and reduce workplace injuries.
Join
Join construction firms across the U.S. that are a part of this effort to change our macho culture of denial and address these problems once and for all.
