September is National Suicide Prevention Month

National Suicide Prevention Month is the time to raise awareness about suicide in the construction industry and promote suicide prevention. Bond producers can share resources and tools with their contractor clients that are designed to foster a safe, supportive environment for the contractor’s employees. NASBP is a caring, supporting stakeholder in the Construction Industry Alliance for Suicide Prevention (CIASP), which works to educate construction professionals, organizations, and others, about suicide prevention as a health and safety priority.

As the construction industry continues to have an alarming suicide rate, CIASP offers a number of tools and resources that can help contractors and construction firms raise awareness, normalize conversations regarding suicide and mental health, and ensure at-risk employees have access to support. There are resources for prevention/promoting awareness, intervention, and postvention.

CIASP offers free, printable posters for construction leaders to put up in breakrooms or other public areas for employees. Contractors can also request hardhat stickers, wallet cards, and other items to boost awareness.

CIASP has a series of Toolbox Talks, in English and Spanish, that help guide discussions on safety, mental health, and suicide prevention. Contractors can use CIASP-branded versions or add the company logo to make it more personal.

CIASP has specialized resources to assist employers after an employee attempts or dies by suicide, as well as targeted resources for veteran employees and for employees facing substance abuse.

If your firm or your contractor clients are interested in getting more involved in suicide prevention, take the CIASP STAND Up for Suicide Prevention pledge.

NASBP is planning to share CIASP resources throughout September on its social media channels. Please interact with and share these posts, on NASBP’s Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and X pages, to support the construction industry as it works to reduce suicides.

The author of this article is Kathryn Doran, Assistant Director of Communications and Operations at NASBP. She can be reached at kdoran@nasbp.org or 240.200.1275.