Suicide Risk and Protective Factors in the Construction Industry

The construction industry faces one of the highest suicide rates of any occupation in the United States, with 56.6 suicides per 100,000 male workers—nearly four times the national average (CDC MMWR, 2023). Suicide now claims more lives than jobsite accidents, making it a critical but often overlooked safety issue. Understanding the risk and protective factors specific to construction can guide employers and safety leaders in identifying both vulnerabilities and opportunities for intervention.


Unique Risk Factors in Construction

Several occupation-specific factors elevate suicide risk for construction workers:

  • Demographics and Culture

The workforce is largely composed of middle-aged men—one of the highest-risk groups for suicide. A culture of toughness and stoicism discourages help-seeking and fosters silence around emotional struggles (ASSP, 2023).

  • Job Stress and Isolation

Construction workers face intense schedules, job insecurity, long commutes, and transient project assignments. These conditions can isolate workers from support systems and cause chronic stress (NIOSH Science Blog, 2020).

  • Injury, Pain, and Substance Use

Frequent workplace injuries lead to chronic pain, which is strongly linked to suicide risk. The industry also reports high rates of opioid use and drug overdose fatalities—the highest among U.S. occupations (CDC MMWR, 2020).

  • Access to Lethal Means

On job sites, workers may have easy access to tools, heights, or substances that can be used in suicide attempts, increasing the likelihood of fatal outcomes during a crisis (OSHA, 2024).

  • Financial and Job Insecurity

Wage instability, lack of benefits, and inconsistent employment compound emotional distress and reduce access to care, especially among subcontractors or day laborers.

  • Protective Factors and Promising Practices

While the risks are serious, a number of protective factors are beginning to take hold in the industry:

  • Peer Support Models

Programs like MATES in Construction train trusted coworkers to act as mental health connectors on site. These models have increased help-seeking behavior and reduced suicide risk in Australian construction and are now being adapted in the U.S. (Spittal et al., 2023).

  • Supervisor Training

Gatekeeper programs such as QPR (Question, Persuade, Refer) and Mental Health First Aid help leaders recognize warning signs and intervene early—especially in environments where workers may be more willing to talk to a peer than a professional (OSHA, 2024).

  • Toolbox Talks and Onsite Messaging

Many companies are integrating mental health into regular toolbox talks. Crisis resources like the 988 Lifeline are now printed on wallet cards, hard hat stickers, and site signage (CIASP, 2024).

  • Leadership Engagement

The 2024 launch of the Construction Industry CEO Advisory Council, in partnership with AFSP, marked a cultural shift. Major construction firms are now treating psychological safety with the same priority as physical safety—and committing resources to support workforce well-being (AFSP CEO Council, 2024).

  • Accessibility of Services

Some contractors offer onsite or mobile counseling services and wellness trailers that make mental health support more visible and accessible during the workday.

 

The Overlooked Gap: Postvention

One of the most significant gaps in the industry’s suicide response is postvention—what happens after a suicide occurs.

Despite general guidance from the National Action Alliance for Suicide Prevention and SPRC, very few construction firms have formal postvention protocols. Without a plan, managers and crews are often left unsure of how to communicate the loss, support grieving workers, or prevent suicide contagion (Action Alliance, 2018).

Postvention actions—such as offering grief counseling, hosting structured debriefings, and reviewing site culture—can protect against further harm. Yet these steps are rarely included in company safety or wellness planning.

 

Conclusion

Construction workers face a unique constellation of suicide risk factors: jobsite stress, injury, isolation, and cultural stigma. At the same time, protective strategies like peer programs, gatekeeper training, and CEO-level engagement offer hope.

However, a critical piece is still missing: most construction firms remain unprepared to respond effectively after a suicide occurs. Closing this gap—by pairing prevention efforts with structured, industry-appropriate postvention tools—will be key to building a more resilient and supported workforce.

 

References

Action Alliance for Suicide Prevention. (2018). Workplace postvention: 10 action steps for responding to a suicide. https://theactionalliance.org

American Foundation for Suicide Prevention. (2024). Construction Industry CEO Advisory Council launch.

American Society of Safety Professionals. (2023). Suicide in construction: Breaking the stigma.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2023). Suicide rates by industry and occupation: Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, 72(50). https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2020). Drug overdose deaths by occupation: Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report. https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr

Construction Industry Alliance for Suicide Prevention. (2024). Prevent construction suicide. https://preventconstructionsuicide.com

National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health. (2020). Partnering to prevent suicide in construction. https://blogs.cdc.gov/niosh-science-blog/2020/09/03/construction-suicide/

Occupational Safety and Health Administration. (2024). Preventing suicides in construction. https://www.osha.gov/preventingsuicides/construction