September is National Suicide Prevention Month, and September 9-13 is Construction Suicide Prevention Week, an annual event promoting awareness of the unique challenges faced by construction workers, how they can contribute to mental health challenges, including suicide risk, and what can be done to reduce risk and save lives.  

Tuesday, September 10, at 12 pm – 1 pm ET, join us for our next Seasons of Safety Lunch & Learn Webinar, Suicide Prevention and Awareness – Within the Construction Industry and Beyond.   OSHA New York Region, Compliance Assistance Specialists will have a variety of speakers discuss the growing issue of suicide in America and workplaces, particularly in the Construction industry.

Event Highlights:

Keynote Speaker – John Dahunsi, OSHA – Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse, NP

Suicide in America – is it an Epidemic? Mr. Dahunsi has extensive knowledge regarding overall mental health issues as well as the factors contributing to a higher risk of suicide.

Hope M. Tiesman, CDC/NIOSH, Research Epidemiologist

Work Factors, Suicide, and Suicide Prevention in the Construction Industry. Sharing her expertise as a research epidemiologist at NIOSH studying suicides, Ms. Tiesman will review her findings on the work factors of suicide along with suicide prevention in the construction industry.

Joesph Raffaele Jr., Turner Construction, Project Safety Manager, Buffalo Bills Stadium Project

Addressing mental health and wellness on a large construction project. Overseeing one of the largest construction projects for Turner Construction Company at the Buffalo Bills Stadium project in Western New York, Mr. Raffaele will discuss recognizing the importance of worker mental health. He will discuss the commitment and benefits of maintaining a full-time mental health counselor along with a physical wellness coach on this project.

Please use this link to register via Eventbrite –  https://www.eventbrite.com/e/suicide-prevention-within-the-construction-industry-and-beyond-tickets-996027995547

Available resources include videos, toolbox talks, a social media toolkit and a sample Stand-Down agenda, and participants are encouraged to register their participation. For more information, see constructionsuicideprevention.com.  OSHA’s poster, Suicide Prevention: 5 Things You Should Know, handout, Role of Employers in Preventing Suicides, and fact sheet, Workplace Mental Health, are all available in English and Spanish.  

Please feel free to forward to any interested stakeholders.

Thank you ALL for your efforts to ensure the Safety and Health of our country’s work force!!

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