Senator Mark Kelly (D-AZ) has introduced a bill seeking to prevent the alarmingly high rate of suicides among construction workers.
What the Bill Does
Specifically, the Constructing the Path to Suicide Prevention Act would direct the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) to launch a national study on the suicide risks among construction workers, such as employment and financial stability, substance abuse, and access to employee healthcare coverage, benefits, and assistance.
The study's results would then be sent to Congress through the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to inform policy recommendations on establishing programs to curb the prevalence of construction worker suicide.
According to Sen. Kelly's press release, construction has the second-highest risk of suicide among all industries, to the point that a fifth of 2023 suicides with a reported industry code were tied to construction, yet workers only make up seven percent of the entire American workforce.
What Lawmakers are Saying
"Construction workers build America—our homes, our roads, and our communities," said Sen. Kelly in his press release, adding, "With an alarming suicide rate in this industry, they should have the resources to take care of their mental health. This bill will help us understand what's driving those numbers to prevent more deaths."
Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV), one of the bill's cosponsors, said, "From our homes to our offices, our roads to our favorite coffee shops, construction workers are responsible for building America."
"But work in this industry presents distinct mental health risks, and we owe it to construction workers to find solutions," said Sen. Cortez Masto. "This legislation will give us the tools we need to combat the tragically high rate of suicide among construction workers and work to end the stigma around mental health on the jobsite."
Other Suicide Prevention Efforts
In July, Representative Abe Hamadeh (R-AZ) introduced the Veterans and Servicemembers PTSD Emerging Treatment Review Act, which requires the Pentagon to compile a report to Congress on emerging clinical research into PTSD and new clinical treatments, as veteran suicides remain tragically high.
