A.C.R. 23 was introduced last Thursday to shine light on the problem of suicide within the industry
LIVERMORE, Calif., March 24, 2021— Assembly Concurrent Resolution 23 was read on the California State Assembly floor Thursday, March 18. The measure was introduced to promote awareness of the rising problem of suicide facing the men and women within the construction industry. The resolution proclaims March 18 to be Construction Industry Suicide Prevention Awareness Day in California.
According to the Federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the suicide rate among males age 16-64 increased 34 percent from 2000 to 2016, and that the occupational group with the highest male suicide rate is construction.
“Raising awareness around suicide in the construction industry is an important first step towards preventing this devastating issue from occurring,” stated Assemblymember Carlos Villapudua. “I am hopeful that we are on track to destigmatize this conversation so that people are more willing and able to find the resources they need when they are most vulnerable.”
The Construction Industry Alliance for Suicide Prevention (CIASP) reports that there are approximately three jobsite fatalities in construction every day and an estimated 10 to 12 suicides among construction workers. The suicide rate in the industry is nearly 4 times greater than the national average, and 5 times greater than any other construction fatalities combined.
“We are extremely grateful for Assemblymember Villapudua’s leadership and willingness to work with our industry to educate everyone on this rising issue,” said Michele Daugherty, President and CEO of Associated Builders and Contractors Northern California. “We are actively engaged with partners like CIASP to tackle this problem with programs designed to create safe cultures, provide training to identify and help those at risk, and normalize conversations around mental health and suicide.”
The construction industry continues to seek better information about the root causes of the industry’s high and rising suicide rates.
To read the full resolution, click this link, and to learn more about ABC’s suicide prevention efforts, visit ABC.org/Safety/Suicide-Prevention.
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Representing more than 21,000 construction and industry-related firms nationwide, the Associated Builders and Contractors was founded in 1950 and today has 69 chapters. The ABC NorCal chapter started in 1976 and now represents 500 large and small companies across Northern California.
