Editor’s Note: This story first appeared in May 2024 and is being re-posted to bring awareness during Construction Suicide Prevention Week.
According to the CDC, construction has the second-highest suicide rate of any industry in the U.S.
“In this industry today, we lose two to three workers each day on the job site, but we lose 10 to 15 workers every day to suicide — we lose a construction worker about every one-and-a-half to two-and-a-half hours to suicide,” Dr. Vince Hafeli shared at Dynapac’s press conference during World of Asphalt 2024.
Hafeli, President of Ajax Paving Industries of Florida, authored the book “Mental Health and Suicide,” chronicling his own journey as a suicide survivor, as well as the stories of others impacted by suicide. Now Hafeli leads a campaign to spread awareness of the suicide epidemic in the construction industry.
Dynapac joined the effort, raising $2,760 for the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention through their fundraiser at World of Asphalt. Visitors to their booth also had the opportunity to sign a proclamation wall, pledging to encourage open conversations about suicide and mental health without fear of repercussion or reprisal.
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“Supporting suicide prevention efforts in the construction industry isn’t just about saving lives; it’s about recognizing the inherent dignity and value of every individual within our workforce,” said Jamie Roush, Dynapac’s President and General Manager.
How does that happen? It doesn’t require a lot of time or money. It starts with open conversations in a safe space for workers to discuss their struggles.
“In our company, we always had a lot of stories; we just never knew we had the stories,” Hafeli said. “Once we told people we’re going to begin addressing this, you suddenly learn that the guy one door to the right lost his dad to suicide. You learn that the gentleman two doors to the left lost two uncles to suicide and several military friends.”
An acknowledgement of mental health struggles is too rare in this industry. Hafeli shared the tragic story of a worker hit by a dump truck and killed instantly on the interstate. OSHA came. The Florida Highway Patrol came.
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But when they lost someone to suicide the year before, no one came. “It’s kind of swept under the carpet and people don’t talk about it,” he said.
Theories abound about why the construction industry experiences so many suicide deaths. Low-bid projects with low profit margins create stress to meet the schedule while performing quality work. Hours and locations fluctuate, causing hardships and distress for workers and their families. Sleep deprivation and income instability contribute. When injured, employees may start opioids or self-medicate with alcohol or drugs, which can increase suicide risk.
Those factors are difficult to resolve. However, “I think the way we truly change this is to get leaders in our companies who say we’re going to do something about this and stand behind their words,” Hafeli said.
That doesn’t have to start with an extensive program or investment, just an openness to discussions that lessen the stigma about getting help for mental health struggles. You can start with a toolbox talk about mental health awareness. Hafeli said it’s about $100 to get hard hat stickers with 988 — the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline number — on them.
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| SITECH Michigan |
For toolbox talk templates and other resources, visit one of these websites:
- Construction Suicide Prevention Week, constructionsuicideprevention.com
- Construction Industry Alliance for Suicide Prevention, preventconstructionsuicide.com
- Construction Suicide Prevention Partnership, suicide-stops-here.org
- OSHA, osha.gov/preventingsuicides
If you or someone you know is struggling or in a crisis, free, confidential, 24/7 help is available. Call or text 988 or chat at 988lifeline.org.
