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Editor\u2019s note: This story focuses on the topic of mental health and suicide. If you or someone you know is having suicidal thoughts, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 988.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n The Building & Construction Trades Council of Greater New York has joined other industry leaders in the fight to bolster mental health and <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span>reduce construction\u2019s high suicide rate<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n On March 5, the NYC BCTC, which has membership consisting of local affiliates from 15 national and international unions, launched its Building Trades Peer Support Network with the goal of mitigating the adverse impacts of stress and lower suicide deaths among unionized construction workers in the city.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n The program seeks to train 1,000 rank-and-file peer supporters throughout the trades, which represents 1% of the total share of 100,000 members, Gary LaBarbera, NYC BCTC president, told Construction Dive.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n Construction work is hazardous. In 2024, the <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span>industry recorded a fatality rate<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a> of 9.2 deaths per 100,000 full-time equivalent workers, per the Bureau of Labor Statistics.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n But the rate of deaths by suicide paints a much bleaker picture. In 2024, the fatality rate of <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span>construction workers dying by suicide<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a> was 41.9 per 100,000 workers, according to North America\u2019s Building Trades Unions and CPWR \u2014 The Center for Construction Research and Training.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n That was over four times the rate of on-the-job deaths in the industry. It also means construction is second only to mining for the highest suicide rate among all industries.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n The factors contributing to that epidemic are numerous, LaBarbera said. From the hazardous nature of the job requiring vigilance that can create stress, to project timelines creating uncertainty about one\u2019s career future and physical strain from the demanding work \u2014 building trades work can be taxing.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n On top of that, these jobs are often male-dominated, which comes with a stigma.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n \u201cMale construction workers don’t want to show that they have any feelings at all,\u201d LaBarbera said. \u201cWe see ourselves as very rugged and tough.\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n But that can prevent people from communicating when they need help, he said. Hence, the mantra of the initiative: \u201cIt\u2019s not weak to speak.\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n BTPSN will use two training programs. The first, a two-hour session, is meant to educate members on suicide prevention and awareness. Once completed, union workers can decide whether to enroll in a follow-up, seven-hour class to become a peer, LaBarbera said.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n Trained peers will be identifiable with stickers on their hard hats with slogans including \u201cIt\u2019s not weak to speak,\u201d to signal them as resource to other workers. Peers will be able to conduct risk assessment of their colleagues and refer medium or high-risk cases to designated support staff, who can then intervene.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n In partnering with The Worker Institute at Cornell University, LaBarbera said stakeholders confirmed the best method for intervention was peer-to-peer, rather than a top-down approach. Empowering colleagues to check in on one another creates the safest environment for honesty, he said.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n The New York Building Foundation, the charitable arm of the New York Building Congress, covered the cost of the BTPSN initiative and curriculum, per the release.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n \u201cThis is more than an initiative; it is a fundamental part of our mission,\u201d Elizabeth Velez, chair of the New York Building Foundation, said in the release. \u201cBacked by our board and in lockstep with the BCTC and Cornell, we are taking decisive action to save lives.\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\nThe issue<\/span><\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/h3>\n
The program<\/span><\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/h3>\n