According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), suicide kills nearly three times as many construction workers as falls do each year. In fact, the CDC reports the construction industry is the No. 1 industry for number of suicides and No. 2 industry in suicide rates.
As part of its commitment to safety in the roofing industry, NRCA is a member of the Construction Industry Alliance for Suicide Prevention, a group of key industry organizations who have recognized and are committed to promoting the safety and well-being of construction workers. Established by the Construction Financial Management Association in 2016, the Construction Industry Alliance for Suicide Prevention's mission is "to provide and disseminate information and resources for suicide prevention and mental health promotion in construction with the goal of creating a zero-suicide industry." Part of NRCA's membership commitment involves periodically sharing these suicide-prevention resources.
Sept. 9-15 is National Suicide Prevention Week, which is meant to promote awareness of mental health and suicide—a typically taboo topic. The Construction Industry Alliance for Suicide Prevention offers resources on its website, including published articles, FAQs, posters to display in the workplace, and information and tips regarding how to plan an education session or suicide prevention summit, among other resources.
