Learn the Best Strategies for Suicide and Substance Abuse Prevention

The home building industry has recently shown that it is ready to have conversations about mental health and substance abuse. Join NAHB and its supporting partners in recognizing September as National Suicide Prevention Month and October as National Substance Abuse Prevention Month.

A CDC/NIOSH report from August 2023 showed construction had the highest overdose mortality rate among industries at 162 deaths per 100,000 workers in 2020, and construction professionals accounted for nearly a quarter of the 58,917 total drug overdose deaths in 46 states and New York City.

Construction workers are also five times more likely to die by suicide than from a jobsite injury, with as many as 50% of all construction workers experiencing a diagnosable mental health problem.

NAHB and its partners — including SAFE Project, the Job-Site Safety Institute (JSI), MindWise Innovations, and others — have created resources to help employers maintain a safe and supportive work environment.

Mental Health

• NAHB-JSI Video Toolbox Talk on Mental Health Awareness
• How to Help in a Crisis Toolbox Talk
• Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Needs Analysis and Integration Checklist

As a member of the Construction Industry Alliance for Suicide Prevention, NAHB encourages members to take the pledge to STAND up for suicide prevention and No Shame Pledge.

Substance Abuse

• NAHB-JSI Video Toolbox Talk on Substance Misuse
• SAFE Project Treatment and Recovery Resources
• Executive and Supervisor Training on Opioids on the Jobsite

More resources on mental health and substance abuse can be found on nahb.org.