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For members of the IUPAT, working in the finishing trades industry is a challenging, yet satisfying career.
However, there are high productivity demands on the workforce to meet deadlines, as well as the aspect of danger if strict safety guidelines are not followed.
While those issues are well-known, there are other problems facing the members of our industry – suicide, mental helath and substance use disorder.
Suicide, mental health and substance abuse are no longer taboo topics within the construction industry. For years, construction workers – both union and non-union – suffered in silence.
IUPAT DC 6, in partnership with the International, wants to ensure that our members get the help they need.
Now is the time to address the suicide epedimic facing the construction industry. We strongly urge any member of DC 6 who needs help to get help.
The Helping Hand Program is a good resource to find the information you may need to help yourself, a co-worker, friend or family member.
Other behaviors may also indicate serious risk – especially if the behavior is new, has increased; and/or seems related to a painful event, loss, or change.
According to the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention and the National Action Alliance for Suicide Prevention:
Each year, 42,773 Americans die by suicide (an average of 117 suicides per day). For every suicide, there are 25 attempts
Suicide is the 10th leading cause of death in the U.S.
Men die by suicide 3.5x more often than women
White males accounted for 7 of 10 suicides in 2014
The rate of suicide is highest in middle age – white men in particular
Research from the Carson J. Spencer Foundation, an organization focused on suicide prevention, has found that industries with the highest risk of suicide have the following factors:
When all these factors are combined together, it becomes clear that those who work in the construction industry face a far greater risk of suicide than those who work in other industries.
According to the Cleveland Clinic, these are just a few of the symptoms and signs of substance use disorder:
Addiction is not a problem of willpower or morality, it is a powerful and complex disease. People who have an addiction cannot simply quit, even if they want to, as drugs change the brain in a way that makes quitting physically and mentally difficult. Treating addiction often requires lifelong care and therapy.
Drugs that are commonly misused include:
While these drugs are very different from each other, they all strongly activate the addiction center of the brain. That is what makes these substances habit-forming, while others are not.
A person with alcohol or drug use disorder also might experience symptoms of withdrawal when they cut back or stop use, such as:
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline
Call 1-800-273-8255 for immediate help.
The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is a national network of local crisis centers that provides free and confidential emotional support to people in suicidal crisis or emotional distress 24-hours-a-day, 7-days-a-week.
The National Disaster Distress Helpline is available for anyone experiencing emotional distress related to natural or human-caused disasters.
Call or text 1-800-985-5990 anytime to be connected to a trained, caring counselor.
Text MHA to 741741 and get connected to a trained Crisis Counselor. The Crisis Text Line provides free, text-based support 24/7.
Call 1-866-488-7386
or text START to 678678 to receive help. The Trevor Project is a national 24-hour confidential suicide hotline for LGBTQ youth.
Dial 877-565-8860 for help. The Trans Lifeline hotline is a peer support service run by trans people, for trans and questioning callers.
If you need assistance finding food, paying for housing bills, accessing free childcare or other essential services, visit 211.org or dial 211 to speak to someone who can help. This service is run by the United Way.
National Domestic Violence Hotline
For any victims and survivors who need support, call
or
for TTY.
If you are unable to speak safely, you can go to thehotline.org or text LOVEIS to 22522.
Call 1-844-762-8483 for a confidential and anonymous culturally-appropriate domestic violence and dating violence helpline for Native Americans. The StrongHearts Native Helpline is available every day from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m.
The National Sexual Assault Telephone Hotline
Call 800-656-HOPE (4673) to be connected with a trained staff member from a sexual assault service provider in your area.
Call 855-227-3640
to help you find the right information you need to help you navigate your complex caregiving challenges. elp Desk Caregiving experts are available daily from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. EST.
The Partnership for Drug-free Kids Helpline
Call 1-855-378-4373 if you are having difficulty accessing support for your family, or a loved one struggling with addiction faces care or treatment challenges resulting from COVID-19 circumstances.
Support is available in English and Spanish, from 9 a.m. to midnight EST on weekdays and noon to 5 p.m. EST on weekends.
Main Office
Address: 8257 Dow Circle
Strongsville, OH 44136
Toll Free: (866) 239-4575
Phone: (440) 239-4575
Fax: (440) 234-6527
Email: [email protected]
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