Suicide Prevention Awareness Month in Construction

Every September, Suicide Prevention Month calls us to pause, reflect, and act with compassion. It is a time to honor the lives lost to suicide, to recognize the ongoing struggles of many in our communities, and to commit ourselves to building a culture where hope and support are always within reach.

Together in Strength, Hope, and Purpose

At the Indiana Ready Mixed Concrete Association, we know that the heart of our industry is our people. Our members and partners are not only building roads, bridges, and communities; they are carrying the weight of demanding schedules, physical risks, and economic pressures that often go unseen. Construction is an industry marked by resilience and pride, but also by significant challenges to mental health. Did you know, construction has the second highest suicide rate, according to the Suicide Prevention Center.

This reality makes Suicide Prevention Awareness Month not just a public awareness campaign, but a deeply personal and urgent call for our industry. Together, we must ensure that no worker, colleague, or friend ever feels that they must face their darkest moments alone.

Understanding the Risks

Suicide is complex. It is influenced by many interconnected factors, including economic uncertainty, job stress, substance use, relationship struggles, and untreated mental health conditions. In the construction trades, these pressures can be magnified by long hours, time away from family, physically demanding work, and the cultural expectation to “tough it out.”

Understanding risk means recognizing the warning signs: Changes in behavior; Withdrawal from others; Increased substance use; Expressions of hopelessness; Sudden mood shifts. With awareness, compassion, and connection, we can make a real difference in the lives of those around us. Learn the warning signs of suicide.

Building Strength Through Community

One of the strongest protective factors against suicide is connection. When people feel heard, respected, and supported, they are more likely to reach out for help and to keep going through difficult times.

For construction professionals, this sense of community is already deeply woven into the work. Jobsites run on teamwork. Projects succeed because of trust between contractors, suppliers, engineers, and laborers. This same spirit of collaboration can extend to mental health with small check-ins, open conversations, and peer-to-peer support.

Local partnerships and grassroots initiatives also can make a difference. Peer-led programs, veteran support networks, and industry-specific resources reduce stigma and create safe spaces for workers to talk openly about their challenges. These efforts remind us that healing happens not in isolation, but within community.

Improving Pathways to Care

Suicide prevention isn’t about a single conversation or one training session, it’s about creating ongoing pathways of support. For construction employers, this means making sure workers know what resources are available and feel safe using them.

Evidence-based treatment, safety planning, and continued follow-up care are proven to save lives. Something as simple as posting crisis numbers in breakrooms, providing Employee Assistance Program (EAP) information on pay stubs, or bringing in trainers to talk about mental health can create a culture where reaching out for help is normalized and encouraged.

Importantly, access to mental health care must also be practical. Workers in construction often face barriers of time, cost, or location. Employers and industry associations can help by providing flexible resources, promoting telehealth options, and ensuring that mental health benefits are part of insurance plans. Everyone deserves access to treatment and resources.

Dignity Through Connection

One of the most powerful aspects of suicide prevention is listening to the voices of those with lived experience. People who have survived suicidal thoughts or lost a loved one bring insight and hope that can transform how communities respond. Their stories remind us that healing is possible, that strength can emerge even from crisis, and that dignity must always be preserved.

In the construction industry, where “getting the job done” is often valued above personal vulnerability, creating space for dignity and connection is essential. A simple check-in, a willingness to listen without judgment, or sharing resources openly can reduce stigma and help coworkers feel less alone.

A Call to Action for Our Industry

As we observe Suicide Prevention Awareness Month, IRMCA encourages every member, partner, and employer in our industry to take three steps:

1. Start the conversation. Don’t wait for someone to speak up. Ask how your coworkers are doing. Listen with empathy. Remind them that it’s okay to not be okay.
2. Share resources. Post crisis hotline numbers on the jobsite. Provide access to support through HR or EAP programs. Make it visible and easy to use.
3. Build a supportive culture. Encourage leaders, foremen, and managers to model openness and compassion. Normalize conversations about mental health just as you would about safety protocols.

Together, we can reduce stigma, strengthen community, and provide the dignity and hope that every person deserves.

Resources

If you or someone you know is in crisis, help is available:

• 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline – Call or text 988 to connect with trained counselors 24/7.
• Crisis Text Line – Text HOME to 741741 for free, 24/7 support.
• National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) Helpline – 1-800-950-NAMI (x6264).
• Construction Industry Alliance for Suicide Prevention (CIASP) – www.preventconstructionsuicide.com

You are not alone. Hope and healing are possible.