KNOW THE FACTS
About CIASP
The Construction Industry Alliance for Suicide Prevention is a 501 c3. Focused on Construction Mental Wellness and Suicide Prevention.
Initially founded in response to the 2016 CDC study ranking construction as the #1 industry for deaths by suicide. zero suicide industry by uniting and supporting the construction community.
If you're thinking about suicide, or just need to talk, call or text 9-8-8 anytime for 24/7 crisis support. Text HELLO to 741741 to connect with a counselor.
CIASP is dedicated to changing the statistics by educating and equipping organizations, industry service providers and construction professionals to
STAND Up for suicide prevention and address it as a health and safety priority.
Raising Awareness
CIASP is raising awareness about the risk of suicide within the construction industry and providing suicide prevention resources and tools to create a zero-suicide industry.
Visit the Resources tabs to learn more and take steps to Stand Up for suicide prevention.
History of CIASP
Nature's Symphony
WHY IS CONSTRUCTION THE MOST AT-RISK INDUSTRY FOR SUICIDE PREVENTION?
Male-dominated industries tend to have more suicides. The macho, tough guy and stoic nature of construction workers can even discourage those who are most at risk for suicide from seeking help. Men, especially white men in their early 20s through their 50s, account for the bulk of suicides.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, 97 percent of the U.S. construction workforce is male, and according to the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, 38 percent of construction workers in the U.S. in 2018 were between the ages of 45 and 64.
With their mission-oriented mindsets, many veterans choose construction as a career. With an estimated 22 suicides per day, veterans are also at a higher risk of suicide than the general population.
Moving from site to site can create an environment in which workers are not as connected to their families, each other, or a workplace community. Coupled with working long or irregular hours, sleep patterns can be impacted, causing sleep deprivation and mental and physical exhaustion.
Layoffs due to seasonal work or economic downturns can have significant consequences. Not only does this increase the stress related to loss of income, but job loss also means employees may lose medical benefits and/or access to Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs). Additionally, the physical demands of construction work take a toll on the body and can cause physical or even chronic pain, which may lead to self-medication (with drugs, alcohol, or opioids). Opioid abuse is linked to an increased likelihood of a suicide attempt.
What can you do?
Whether you are a construction owner, executive, manager, supervisor, or field laborer, you can make a difference. There are practical steps you can take to help save lives. Raising awareness about mental health and suicide prevention is necessary, but it’s not enough to create a cultural change. This article demonstrates the need and impact of Breaking Down the Stigma: Prioritizing Mental Health in Construction.
Where Do You Begin?
Whether your organization has taken the pledge to STAND up for suicide prevention, or if you’re just learning about the critical need to address suicide prevention in construction, CIASP has compiled tools and resources to help integrate suicide prevention into your company’s culture as a safety and health priority.
The Needs Analysis and Integration Checklist walks you through a series of questions to help evaluate your company’s suicide preparedness.
“Start the conversation with the CIASP Needs Analysis & Implementation Tool. It guides your discussion and builds an effective implementation plan. Every culture is different—use the tool to design a plan that best fits your organization and incorporates protective factors.”
-- Joe Xavier
Senior Director of Health and Safety
ABC- Associated Builders and Contractors
Build Awareness
- Construction + Suicide Prevention: Why Is This an Industry Imperative?
- Construction + Suicide Prevention: 10 Action Steps Companies Can Take to Save Lives
- Construction's Silent Killer Part 1 - Why is the Industry's Suicide Rate So High?
- Mental Health on the Jobsite.
- Start the Conversation video.
- CIASP ToolBox Talks
The issue of suicide prevention came to the forefront in the construction industry around 2015 when the construction financial management association published an article addressing the issue. I was the CEO of CFMA at the time and we were asked by many why we took this issue up as a priority. Our response was that CFOs and controllers are responsible for the financial management of a construction company and is there a more important asset in a company that its people? Investing in, protecting and supporting your people should be a main priority of any construction company and we immediately realized this was an important priority.
Stuart Binstock
Retired President
– CFMA, Board of Trustees- CIASP
