access to those critical support systems, in addition
to the family issues that can result from
extended absences.
For projects in any location, the low margin
for error that exists in construction can create
extreme pressure for some people.
“If you screw something up on a construction
project, it can be a really big deal,” said Walker.
“There’s not a lot of room for slight slipups –
that pressure can build on people.”
Beyond that, changing crews and the seasonal
nature of the work provides an inconsistent
team environment, creating a barrier
in what could be a more stable support system
to a person at risk for suicide. Additionally,
too much time between projects or layoffs
can result in financial issues, adding more anxiety
on a person who isn’t able to healthfully
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stigmatizing behaviour.” Unhealthy management
styles, especially those involving shame
and humiliation as part of the discipline process,
can feed into a toxic culture.
“When you look at the main contributing
factors to suicide risk, perceived burdensome is
one – ‘I’m no good, the world would be better
off without me’ – these types of thoughts,” said
Walker. “When you put together that lack of belongingness
with a manager who is unhealthfully
guiding and not disciplining with positive
behaviour, you can see where that can be a huge
contributing factor to someone at risk.”
Remote work and industry demands
Remote construction projects require workers
to be away from their homes, sometimes
for long periods of time. Separation from family
or friends can be isolating and restrict
process stress.
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Risk-seeking and access to
lethal means
“We’re not born wanting to end our lives; that
would be counterproductive to the human species,”
said Walker. “But by living through dangerous
situations or witnessing accidents,
people get desensitized to seeing people die or
get hurt. This is a reason that law enforcement
or first responders are highly at risk for suicide.”
When you consider the construction industry,
a project could involve working at high
heights, in deep trenches or around heavy
equipment, or in other environments that
would make many people feel uncomfortable.
“People who work in construction already
have that sense of risk-seeking and being comfortable
with risk and dangerous behaviours
because they have to be in order to get the job
done,” said Walker. “But that can also go too far
in somebody who has the propensity and that
capacity to take their own life.”
A job site also provides access to lethal means.
“We’ve heard stories of electrocutions that
weren’t accidental or falls from high places
where everyone was tied off all shift, and then
someone was suddenly untied,” said Walker.
Chronic pain
Years of physical work and the natural wear
and tear that comes from a physical job, in addition
to any potential workplace injuries, can
lead to chronic pain. For a person who feels
that they may not be able to continue doing
their job, chronic pain can turn into a sense of
hopelessness.
“They may think, ‘I don’t have any other
skills; this is all I know how to do, and I physically
can’t do it anymore,’” said Walker. “This
situation can lead to addiction, whether that be
to opioids that were possibly prescribed properly
at the onset, or self-medication either by alcohol
or drugs to cope with the pain. Substance
abuse may also be a coping mechanism to someone
dealing with an untreated mental illness or
a personal situation that they don’t know how
to manage. Substance abuse and the spiral that
it can create in a person’s life is a huge contributing
factor for suicide.”
Identifying a person
at risk
Noticing changes in a person’s behaviour is the
most accurate way to identify someone at risk
of suicide.
“This is why there’s a need to create relationships
and have a little bit more of a
More construction
workers die by suicide
each year than any
other industry.
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