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Suicide Prevention in the Construction Industry: Calvin (Cal) Beyer
Suicide Prevention in the Construction Industry: Calvin (Cal) Beyer
I have been serving as a volunteer leader for the National Action Alliance for Suicide Prevention since its inception in 2010. I currently serve on the Executive Committee and as co-lead of Workplace Task Force.
I’ve been leading an initiative on mental health and suicide prevention for the construction industry. (This industry has highest number of suicides and 2nd highest rate; when combined with architects and engineers as #5 industry by rate, the combined Architecture-Engineering-Construction (AEC) industry is #1 in rate. (Source: Centers for Disease Control study on 7/1/16: https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/65/wr/mm6525a1.htm)
With the help of the Construction Financial Management Association (CFMA) I started the Construction Industry Alliance for Suicide Prevention. It has over 40 member organizations/associations serving the construction industry: www.cfma.org/suicideprevention
In April 2017, I was recognized as one of the Top 25 Newsmakers for 2016 for the global construction industry by Engineering-News Record. This was the 52nd year of the annual recognition.
The goal of this cause is to integrate mental health and suicide prevention into the safety, health, wellness and employee benefit programs and practices of the construction industry.
This is significant to acknowledge this topic and cause due to the increasing rate of suicide among all populations, but especially among middle-aged men. This is a life-saving mission.
Please join our cause if you are involved in the construction industry. There are similar initiatives in Australia (Mates in Construction) and the UK (Mates in Mind).
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