View the full article by Kerry Smith at St. Louis CNR.
More than 400 PARIC employees, subcontractors, and members of the Associated General Contractors of Missouri gathered at Ballpark Village in downtown St. Louis to learn about the warning sides of suicide. The event was held in recognition of National Suicide Prevention Month.
Shannon Niles, Safety Director at PARIC and AGC Health and Safety Committee Chairman, was shocked by the amount of people who had been personally affected by suicide.
“It was astounding,” Niles said. “I asked for individuals who have experienced losing a loved one to suicide to raise their hand, and more than 60 percent of hands went up. This is an epidemic, and while it’s certainly not specific to the construction industry, the very nature of the demands in our profession definitely play a factor in what we’re seeing.”
“Large construction jobs often require that individuals spend several months or even more than a year away from home and away from their families and support systems,” Niles said. “That can put a lot of stress on construction workers.”
“Large construction jobs often require that individuals spend several months or even more than a year away from home and away from their families and support systems,” Niles said. “That can put a lot of stress on construction workers.”
Warning signs to watch for include:
- Depression
- Increased alcohol or drug use
- Sudden mood changes
- Talking about suicide
- Anxiety or agitation
- Aggressive behavior or uncontrolled anger
- Withdrawal
- Reckless behavior
- Changes in habits
- Seeking access to the means needed to take one’s life
- Giving away possessions
- Saying goodbye
For detailed information on how to detect and intervene to prevent a suicide among those with whom you live and work, contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at (800) 273-8255 or text HELLO to 741741 via the organization’s Crisis Text Line.
View the full article by Kerry Smith at St. Louis CNR.