September is National Suicide Prevention Month and at CIASP we are up and “running,” no pun intended!

The Construction Industry Alliance for Suicide Prevention (CIASP) is sponsoring “The Miles that Matter 5k.” Run, Walk, Bike, Swim, what ever feels right to you!

Complete your virtual  5K (3.1 miles) anytime in September. Your registration benefits CIASP's continued mission of providing resources and support for suicide prevention, mental wellness and safety in construction. 

You might already have Suicide Prevention Month initiatives in place, or you might be a bit behind the eight ball and looking for something meaningful for your staff and workforce. Either way, it is not too late to start a team and sign everyone up or join an existing team. Alternatively, you can donate in honor of your workforce or company. Although we are in the thick of September, it is not too late to take action, even on September 30th!

One of the great things about CIASP hosting a 5k event is the direct tie that exists between physical movement and its benefits to mental health. Exercise can be a tremendous part of one’s treatment plan and life plan to deal with anxiety, depression and other mental health conditions. Exercise can also be very grounding and helpful for people in recovery.

Studies show that physical movement is one of the most accessible and scientifically proven ways to protect and elevate our mental health. Consistent, moderate exercise can:

• Reduce existing symptoms of depression and anxiety, acting as a powerful protective layer against emotional decline.
• Serve as a natural outlet for built-up tension. 
• Focusing on the rhythm of your breathing or your feet hitting the pavement can actively interrupt loops of chronic worry.
• Promotes deeper, more stable sleep cycles.
• Pushing through a challenging workout or sticking to a routine fosters a sense of accomplishment, boosting self-esteem and reinforcing your ability to navigate difficult moments in everyday life.

Health organizations recommend aiming for 150 minutes of moderate activity per week (roughly 30 minutes, 5 days a week), but any movement is vastly better than none.

I speak from personal experience. In my 20’s and 30’s I was competing in marathons and triathlons. However, due to increased work and family responsibilities, fitness took a back seat. I didn’t realize just how much not only my body but my emotional health missed the exercise.  Now firmly in mid life at 54, I am back to making fitness an everyday part of my life. About four months ago, I participated in a 60-day challenge at my gym. The goal was to jumpstart a new fitness journey. As a middle-aged woman, I decided that weight training, to provide strength and support bone health, would become my priority along with walking for cardio fitness. If I am being totally honest, the results are taking longer than I would like. However, I am reminded of the amazing mental and emotional health benefits that exercise and movement bring. And I am appreciating those benefits in a way that I don’t think I have previously. No matter what has gone on in my life I have always felt better after a workout and even better when my workouts became a regular part of my week. That still holds true whether I am running 20 miles or walking for 20 minutes.

If you have been looking for motivation and a starting point for your physical and mental health journey, consider the CIASP virtual 5K. If you are looking for a team-building exercise, consider the CIASP 5K. 

While Suicide Prevention Month is observed in September, mental health is a 12 month a year priority. Focusing on fitness and health this month can lay the foundation on which to build throughout the year. Pun intended. 

CIASP provides a comprehensive, field-ready suite of free tools designed to seamlessly integrate mental health awareness into the construction workplace. Through its central CIASP Resource Hub, the organization structures its materials into three proactive operational stages—Prevention, Intervention, and Postvention—all anchored our foundational "STAND Up" safety pledge. Company leaders and project managers can leverage these materials to evaluate and scale their internal safety frameworks.