In late 2020, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) MMWR found that 40% of U.S. adults reported struggling with mental health or substance use and that 11% of U.S. adults seriously considered suicide.
In the U.S., you are more likely to die from suicide than an automobile accident or by homicide. We lose 47,500 people per year to suicide, 38,800 to automobile accidents, and 19,141 to homicide. This means you are 2.5 times more likely to die by your own hand than the hands of others.
More specifically, the construction industry has one of the highest rates of suicide at 53.2 per 100,000 U.S. workers. That rate is four times greater than the national average and five times greater than that of all other construction fatalities combined.
“We cannot stand by while a silent epidemic of suicide takes place within our industry,” said Stephen E. Sandherr, AGC of America's chief executive officer. “We want to reduce the stigma of mental health issues in this industry, let people know it is okay to ask for help and, ultimately, save lives.”
NEW! AGC Mental Health PSAs
On December 6, 2022, AGC of America released a series of videos telling the stories of real industry professionals who have struggled with mental health. The hope is that in sharing their stories, others will know they are not alone, and it is okay to seek help when it is needed. These videos are part of the association’s ongoing efforts to combat high suicide rates and improve mental health among the industry’s workers.
AGC Mental Health & Suicide Prevention Task Force
AGC of America established a Mental Health & Suicide Prevention Task Force comprised of professionals from across the country. The task force hosts quarterly forums to discuss best practices, engage with industry partners and legislators, and conduct needs analyses to develop a comprehensive collection of resources for construction companies and their workers.
Members
- Mandi Kime, AGC of Washington (Co-chair)
- Brandon Anderson, AGC of Missouri (Co-chair)
- Erika Anderson, AGC of Colorado
- Kevin Cannon, AGC of America
- Bo Cooper, Alberici Constructors
- Michelle Anaya DePotter, AGC Florida East Coast Chapter
- Bradley Evanoff, Washington University
- Rich Jones, Youturn Health
- Paul Levin, Sundt Construction
- Ricky Reams, Murphy Company Mechanical Contractors & Engineers
- Tom Robinson, AGC Alabama
- Nazia Shah, AGC of America
- Derek Smith, ECD NY
- Shannen Talbot, Inland Northwest AGC
- Cal Beyer, Holmes Murphy & Associates (Advisor)
If you are interested in becoming a task force member, please complete the interest form HERE.
Mental Health & Suicide Prevention Forum
The Mental Health & Suicide Prevention Task Force hosts 2-4 discussion forums each year. The goal of these forums is to provide a safe space where construction industry stakeholders can gather to share success stories, challenges, and seek/share resources and best practices.
Below you will find the dates/times for upcoming forums. To be added to the distribution list and receive invitations, please sign-up HERE.
- January 19, 2023 | 3:45 PM - 4:45 PM Eastern
- April 19, 2023 | 2:00 PM - 3:00 PM Eastern
- July 26, 2023 | 5:00 PM - 6:00 PM Eastern
- October 18, 2023 | 2:00 PM - 3:00 PM Eastern
Other Industry Events
- Calendar of Events (List View | Calendar View)
Helpful Websites
- 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline
- Substance Abuse & Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA)
- National Action Alliance for Suicide Prevention (Action Alliance)
- DOL Mental Health at Work
- Employer Assistance and Resource Network on Disability Inclusion
- The Construction Industry Alliance for Suicide Prevention
- The Construction Suicide Prevention Partnership (CSPP)
- Forefront Suicide Prevention
- Construction Suicide Prevention Week
- CPWR Suicide Prevention Resources
- CPWR Resources to Prevent Opioid Deaths in Construction
- OSHA Preventing Suicides Resources
- Man Therapy
- CDC's Using Naloxone to Reverse Opioid Overdose in the Workplace: Information for Employers and Workers
Chapter Resources
- Inland Northwest AGC
- AGC of Washington
- AGC of Missouri
- AGC of California
- AGC New York State
- AGC Massachusetts
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- Chicagoland AGC
- AGC of Kansas
- AGC Kansas City Chapter
- AGC of Colorado
Additional Resources
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Mental-Health Best-Practice Guide - Written as a Master’s Degree thesis by AGC of Washington safety director, Mandi Kime (CHST, B.S. & B.A., Central Washington University), this Mental-Health Best-Practice Guide is backed by member input to a construction-focused survey. Detailing eight practices that construction employers should consider, this is the first time, to our knowledge, that new data has been developed for mental health in construction that is completely accessible publicly.
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Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Program - AGC of Washington has written a FREE SAMPLE Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Program that can be incorporated into your existing written safety and health programs and policies.
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Mental Health for the Construction Industry - Online training co-developed by AGC of Missouri and Washington University in St. Louis. Not only is physical safety important, but the safety of our mental and emotional health is also important. Click here for more information on taking better care of your mental health.
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How to Build Wellness Programs with Impact - The construction industry is raising awareness and encouraging open discussion about mental health and substance abuse to reduce suicide in the workforce. We can all agree this is a scary subject and we need to address the public health crisis in our country. But how do we heal our workforce? Please use the resources on this page to help you spot warning signs, start the conversation, and provide support to those who need it – which can save lives. It takes construction professionals at all levels working together and with their risk partners to build a culture of caring and prevention.
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Toolbox Talks
- Healthy Coping & Personal Resilience Tools
- Preventing Suicide in Construction (English | Spanish)
- 12-Pack of Toolbox Talks
- Mental Health vs Mental Illness
- Reducing Stigma
- Stress
- Depression vs Anxiety
- Self-Care: More Than a Fad
- Awareness of Your Own Mental Health
- How to Get Help
- Suicide Awareness
- Alcohol & Drug Use
- Opioids & Other Pain Killers
- Feeling Fatigued
- Bullying - Beyond the Schoolyard
- Coins, Stickers, Banners, etc. - AGC of Missouri has developed a wealth of tangible items (HOPE Coins, Hard Hat Stickers, Banners, and "Let's Talk" conversation card sets) for download or purchase directly from the supplier. Their innovative outreach program titled Hang On Pain Ends (HOPE) offers a position of care and concern while also offering assistance to those who may be in crisis. While they have been gracious enough to design and make available this program, please respect the branding and acknowledgment of their contributors. If you have any questions, please contact Brandon Anderson.
- Posters/Banners
- Stickers (RUOK | Hope Sticker - Circle Coin | Hope Sticker - Flag)
- "Let's Talk" Conversation Cards (please contact Brandon Anderson)
- Order Link for HOPE Coins - https://www.firstplacepins.com/products/associated-general-contractors-hope-coin
This page was last updated on May 10, 2023.