Mechanical Insulators Labor Management Cooperative Trust (LMCT) Executive Director Pete Ielmini joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast and discussed the alarming suicide rate for construction workers and the resources available that can help.
Ielmini addressed the suicide epidemic in the construction industry as part of the U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Suicide Prevention Safety Stand-Down, which took place this week.
The event raises awareness of the unique mental health challenges construction workers face. Employers are encouraged to share information and resources and urge employees to seek help if needed.
Construction workers die by suicide at five times the rate of on-the-job accidents and have one of the highest suicide rates of any other industry, Ielmini said. He discussed the LMCT’s public health campaign to address the issue within the Insulators Union and reduce stigma when it comes to mental health. The campaign has created hardhat stickers featuring the national suicide hotline number and a wallet card that features mental health resources addressing suicide.
Ielmini then spoke about 9-8-8, a crisis phone number similar to 9-1-1 for anyone to call in a mental health crisis.
Listen to the entire episode to learn more about these topics.