Efforts Underway to Reduce Suicide Rates Among Construction Workers

In an important initiative, New York City’s construction industry is set to observe a week dedicated to mental health awareness, emphasizing a critical issue that has often been overshadowed by discussions of physical safety. The Building Trades Employers Association (BTEA) and the Building and Construction Trades Council (BCTC) are participating in Construction Suicide Prevention Week, a nationwide project aimed at addressing the growing mental health crisis within the profession.

Tragically, more than 5,000 construction workers take their own lives each year, a figure five times higher than those who die from on-site accidents or injuries. This stark reality underscores the necessity of safeguarding not just physical, but also mental well-being in a field that is characterized by rigorous physical demands, unpredictable schedules, and fast-paced environments. A lack of focus on mental health can lead to increased stress and a sense of isolation among workers, emphasizing the importance of enhancing awareness and support for mental well-being.

Attention to this issue is not only gaining traction within the industry, but is also beginning to resonate with public officials and policymakers. As awareness increases, there is an acknowledgment that mental health deserves the same consideration as fall prevention and other physical safety measures.

The focus on mental health will come to a head this week as the New York City Council introduces a groundbreaking package of legislation aimed at addressing the mental health crisis among construction workers. One key provision is to amend the city’s building codes to mandate the inclusion of mental health and wellness training, as well as suicide prevention and substance misuse awareness, as part of Site Safety Training (SST) requirements.

Currently, tens of thousands of workers complete safety training as a prerequisite for obtaining or renewing their SST card. Under the proposed legislation, each worker will now receive at least two hours of instruction specifically dedicated to mental health and associated risks. Enactment of this legislation could enable hundreds of thousands of workers to better identify warning signs, support their peers, and combat stigma surrounding mental health struggles.

Addressing suicide in the construction industry also means confronting contributing factors, such as substance abuse. The U.S. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration indicates that the rate of substance use disorder among construction workers is twice that of the general adult population. A recent study from New York City’s Health and Buildings Departments found that construction workers rank highest for overdose deaths among all occupational groups. For those facing addiction, opioid antagonists can provide critical chances for recovery and survival.

Recognizing the urgency of the issue, the new legislation will require the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene to supply five opioid antagonist kits to each major construction site, alongside training for site safety professionals in administering this life-saving medication.

This legislative package includes essential measures aimed at enhancing the health and safety of the construction workforce in New York City. By equipping job sites with necessary resources and integrating mental health education into existing safety protocols, New York is taking meaningful strides toward addressing both mental health and substance use in the construction industry.

By enacting these provisions, New York has the potential to set a national standard for prioritizing mental health alongside physical safety. It is imperative that the council adopts this legislation, not only to safeguard the lives of workers but to affirm that their overall well-being remains a priority in an industry that is vital to the city’s infrastructure.