The Impact of Employment Laws on Construction Worker Suicide

How Policy Can Protect Lives on the Jobsite

As many of us have seen firsthand, the causes of suicide are many and complex. Research is showing that some characteristics present in the construction industry – like the fast pace, low margin for error, and high injury rates – can negatively impact workers’ mental wellbeing. There is a lot more, however, we need to learn about these potential root causes of mental health struggles and/or substance use, including how they can be balanced by protective factors in the workplace.


Several years ago, CPWR and NABTU put forward a Research and Action Agenda on construction worker mental health focused on addressing upstream, work-related root causes. The agenda also emphasized strengthening support systems and ensuring workers have access to key treatment and recovery resources. As part of this agenda, CPWR funded research to advance knowledge and action on suicide prevention and opioid overdoses. 


One of the projects in this work was based at the University of Iowa and explored the impact of employment laws on construction worker suicide. Principal Investigator Dr. Jonathan Davis analyzed publicly available data on suicide rates and state “paid-leave” policies to understand how employment laws and community-level factors influence suicide rates among construction workers. 


Using the National Violent Death Reporting system linked to external datasets, Dr. Davis and his team identified people of working age (16 to 64) who had died from suicide between 2013 to 2020. The study found that during this period, there were 127,872 suicide deaths, with 19,511 (15.26%) being individuals who worked in construction. 


When employment laws were factored in, the study found that the presence of family and paid leave laws correlated to lower rates of suicide for construction workers. This was statistically significant for female construction workers, and was true for male construction workers, but the reduction was not statistically significant. Additionally, laws that restricted opioid prescribing resulted in statistically significant lower rates of suicide for male construction workers. 


Dr. Davis and his team concluded that state-level polices pose a significant opportunity to reduce suicide risk for construction workers. They are now further developing this research and hope to investigate the role of construction work in mental health disparities.


Read the full report: https://www.cpwr.com/wp-content/uploads/SS2025-Employment_Law_Worker_Suicide.pdf 


Key Findings from the Study:

  • Female construction workers had a lower rate of suicide when family and paid leave laws were in place. This was also true for male construction workers; however, the reduction was not statistically significant.
  • Male construction workers had lower rates of suicide when laws restricting opioid prescribing practice were present. Construction workers were more likely to have substance use contribute to their suicide compared to workers in other occupations. 
  • Community-level factors may influence construction worker suicide. Construction workers who died by suicide disproportionately lived in areas with lower incomes and lacked access to recreation. Construction workers who died by suicide were also more likely to live in areas with high violent crime rates. 

988 Learn The Facts

October 28, 2025
What is 988 A free confidential lifeline- providing judgement free care. Basic Stats: As of July 2025 Total Contracts to 988: 17, 785,050 Average time to answer: 33 seconds Averal Call length: 13 minutes 47 seconds How does it work: Explain difference between geo routing and geolocation: Geo routing: 988 does attempt to route callers to the nearest center to them in the network using their area code. Geolocation- which is receiving a pinpoint location for dispatch during an emergency is not in use for 988 and not being considered to ensure the anonymity of the lifeline. What to do: Call- call the number 24/7 - reach a live counselor Text- text 24/7 - you will complete a brief survey to get to the best help available Chat- available 24/7- similar to the text interaction What you can expect: Calling: Step 1- You will hear a recording that allows you to select language and or veterans option Step 2- hold music while being connect to a live counselor Step 3- You will get introduced to counselor and be asked if you are safe Step 4- Once you confirm you are safe, your counselor will listen, provide support and resources. Texting or Chatting: Step 1- You are connected to the line and chose your language Step 2 – You accept the terms of service Step 3- You will receive a brief survey to best be able to understand your level of needed support Step 4 you may be asked a few more questions Step 5 – you are connected to our counselor and asked if you are safe Step 6- your couselor listens provides support and resources Who can use it: Anyone in crisis With someone in crisis Worried about someone who may be in crisis Anyone needing extra support Worried about a substance use disorder Success Rates: 98% of all contacts are able to get a commitment to safety. However, when emergency services must be involved, over half of these emergency dispatches occur with the caller’s consent. Whenever possible the 988 counselors will recommend alternate options such as collaborating on a safety plan, utilizing mobile crisis teams, collaborating with the individual’s loved ones or professionals, or supporting the individual to get to a Crisis Stabilization Unit, emergency department, or urgent care. 988 operators must provide information to 911 operators to attempt to locate an individual, if they are unwilling to provide that information, if there is a belief that the person is in danger of seriously or fatally harming themselves or others. How is it funded? Combination between state and federal funding Sources: FAQ: Does Vibrant use police intervention for callers, texters, and chatters to the 988 Lifeline? - 988 Lifeline Lifeline Performance Metrics | SAMHSA

Safe Messaging

October 28, 2025
Lately, I have been seeing more and more conversations around Mental Health and Suicide Prevention. Which is great, unless it becomes unsafe. A few things that are important when posting, blogging, speaking, etc. Language is not neutral—it can heal or harm, especially when discussing trauma. I commend those who are willing to speak out either with their lived experience stories, or the stories of their loved ones’ struggle and/or suicide. When we have a story to share, especially one that is raw and painful, it is hard to balance wanting to unburden ourselves with protecting others' emotional space. There is power in our collective voice and in those stories. But that power must be harnessed and used with caution. Sharing lived experiences can be transformative, but only when done with intention, care, and compassion. The idea that we can tell stories of pain and resilience without graphic detail is powerful. It invites empathy without risking re-traumatization. Safe messaging is a critical component in communicating about suicide and suicide prevention. Avoiding specifics like method or location isn’t about censorship—it’s about compassion. Framing stories around hope, recovery, and connection can create space for others to feel seen and supported. Visit CIASP Safe Messaging Guidelines for more tips and advice “For Good” That quote from Wicked—“Because I knew you, I have been changed for good”—is a beautiful reminder that our voices can be a force for healing. Using our voices “For Good” means being mindful of impact, not just intent.

Word of The Year

October 28, 2025
In 2025 CIASP embarked on a word of the year challenge. As an organization our word of the year became: Wellness You might be asking yourself- why would an organization choose a word of the year and ask their team to do the same? Choosing a word of the year is not a new practice and certainly not one that we invented. It is often used to help center and guide an organization or person. Choosing a word of the year can be useful in helping define what you want, and your WHY. The practice of choosing a word of the year is an exercise in mindfulness. There is reflection and focus that goes into choosing that one single word. This is different than a resolution, where you are focused on a task. The word of the year is a concept and ethos. Some things that might come out of the process for you are, focus and clarity - It can give you a guiding principle and help clarify what really matters to you. Align with or help determine your core values. It also allows for growth, flexibility, and adaptability. Resolutions can be rigid and limiting. A word of the year allows you to grow and develop while having a guiding ethos. 365 days is a long time; a single word of the year allows for adapting and changing circumstances. It provides a flexible framework upon which to set intentions yet shift if necessary. Some words that resonated with us were: Calm, Gratitude, Intentionality, Grace, Rise, Acceptance, Efficiency, Anticipation, Balance, Discover, Appreciation, Relational  What will you choose?