FAST FACTS


Suicide and Substance Use Disorders In Construction


03.18.21 16%


Last year, the California Assembly passed a resolution declaring March 18, 2021, and yearly thereafter,


“Construction Industry Suicide Prevention Awareness Day.”


Construction ranked as the number two industry for heavy alcohol use among adults ages 10 to 64 at 16.5%, according to data studied from 2008-2012 by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.


12-16%


Between 12.46% and 16.32% of Californians aged 12 and up used illicit drugs from 2018 to 2019, according to reports by the National Survey on Drug Use and Health.


pushes out a “positive thought” of the day and a funny piece of information intended to reinforce positive thinking. Users will also have ongoing opportu- nities to log into live, interactive discus- sions with mental health professionals who will address topics from depression to dealing with difficult teens and beyond.


Another Tool in the Arsenal Brian Mello, AGC of California Direc- tor, Safety & Regulatory Affairs, said the collaboration between AGC and Kane’s group supports AGC’s Mental Health Initiative and supplements the important programs that AGC employers are already providing their employees. “We wanted to go beyond to really lift up this support and buoy the indus- try by providing another solution for our members for their long-term, sus- tainable growth,” Mello said. Hoped-for benefits include a decrease in employee absenteeism as well as an increase in the number of workers seeking out mental health services as issues are brought to light. “Tat’s not a negative to us, that’s a positive,” contended Kane. Following AGC’s planned public an- nouncement about the 360 Focus Mental Health app in May, it will offer trainings led by Kane—all leading up to an official June launch. Mello said he hopes construction em-


ployers will embrace the app as another critical tool in their arsenal as they collec- tively work to combat a crisis reaching all corners of industry. “It really is part of a continuing effort on AGC’s end to build a better state for our employers and their employees,” he said. Kane added, “I’m excited that AGC of


California is being so forward thinking; it is phenomenal. I hope it rolls out across the nation by the example that you are setting. Because we are losing lives. It’s something we need to make an impact on.”


CALIFORNIA CONSTRUCTOR MAY-JUNE 2022


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