NRCA, OSHA Mark Suicide Prevention Month in September

Roofing associations, companies and government officials partner up for Suicide Prevention Week, Sept. 14-18.

With an estimated one in every five adults living with mental illness, several industries are hit hard by suicide each year. Roofing and construction appear to be particularly impacted, as they carry the second-highest suicide rate of all major industries in the U.S., according to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The National Roofing Contractors Association (NRCA) is again doing its part to address the problem throughout September during Suicide Prevention Month.

The NRCA has a collection of free mental health resources for contractors to implement for employees at any level. They include toolbox talks, posters, support information, contacts and more.

Employees, crew leaders, managers and company owners can benefit from lists of specific trainings, construction-related issues and related organizations that can provide help.

Among them is 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.”

NRCA joined the alliance several years ago.

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) is also heavily involved and supporting Suicide Prevention Week, Sept. 14-18. events will be held nationwide to raise awareness about the unique challenges workers face in construction, how it can lead to suicide and what we can do to prevent it.

Roofers are also encouraged to participate in the National Stand Down for Construction Suicide Prevention Week on Monday, Sept. 14. See more at constructionsuicideprevention.com

OSHA has resources for contractors in English and Spanish available and encourages anyone in crisis to call the Suicide Lifeline at 988.

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Art Aisner is Editor-in-Chief of Roofing Contractor and Roofing Supply Pro. He spent the bulk of his career as a multi-media journalist for newspapers and television stations before joining the RC team in 2015. He is the driving force behind the publication’s content development, editorial strategy and other initiatives that serve growing audiences in the roofing space.