Suicide Rates in High-Risk Industries: Construction, Agriculture, and Nursing

When I first entered the Health & Safety field over a decade ago, terms like psychological safety and mental health were rarely mentioned. This oversight has had significant repercussions on individuals and society.

Today, as our understanding of mental health and wellbeing deepens, the data reveals a troubling reality: alarmingly high suicide rates in construction, agriculture, and among first responders, including nurses. These are industries that AuditSoft serves and cares about deeply.

The stats…

Suicide Rates in Construction

According the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, construction workers have a 65% higher suicide rate than workers in all other sectors. A Canadian study shows that 83% of workers in the industry have experienced a moderate to severe mental health issue.  Factors contributing to this include job insecurity, physical demands, and a culture that often stigmatizes mental health discussions.

A study also showed that 1 in 13 opioid-related deaths in Ontario between 2018 and 2020 involved construction workers​. Clearly the construction industry is facing a mental health crisis that requires immediate attention and intervention.

Agriculture and Mental Health

Agricultural workers also experience high suicide rates. The isolation of rural life, financial pressures, and the physical demands of farming contribute to mental health challenges in this sector. In the US, 36.1 out of every 100,000 agricultural workers die by suicide. While a Canadian study conducted by the University of Guelph found that 76% of farmers experience moderate or high stress. Limited access to mental health services in rural areas exacerbates the problem, making it crucial to develop targeted support systems for these workers.

First Responders and Nursing

First responders, including nurses, are on the front lines of emergencies and healthcare, often facing traumatic situations regularly. The emotional toll of their work, coupled with long hours and high-stress environments, leads to elevated suicide rates in this group. In the US, the suicide rate among first responders is 25.3 per 100,000 workers. Frontline workers and nurses also had to endure the COVID-19 pandemic. Between November and December 2020, 37% of nurses in Canada reported overall poor mental health.

Addressing mental health in these professions is essential for their well-being and the safety of those they serve. Poor mental health also has a cost to the economy. From 2014 to 2018, Alberta’s Workers’ Compensation Board processed 450 claims from first responders related to post-traumatic stress injuries, costing over $55 million​.

Improving Psychological Health and Safety in the Workplace

The numbers paint a troublesome picture. It’s time for all organizations to get serious about psychological safety in the workplace and prove they value their people. AuditSoft has forged a 10-year exclusive partnership Opening Minds, a division of the Mental Health Commission of Canada (MHCC), to help organizations assess and integrate psychological health and safety in their workplace.

We have developed a new psychological health and safety assessment tool to support organizations with:

1. Measuring Psychological Safety: The Assessment measures the overall programs that are required to establish a psychologically healthy and safe workplace. AuditSoft’s user-friendly platform makes the assessment simple and ensures results are accurate.
2. Reporting: Organizations receive a detailed report of their psychological health and safety performance, with actionable data to guide decision-making processes and prioritization for improvements.
3. Action Plans: Organizations also receive a customizable action plan with steps and actions to help organize, prioritize, and track opportunities in progress.

Looking to assess and integrate psychological health and safety in your organization’s workplace? Explore our psychological health and safety assessment tool with Opening Minds.

Or get in touch to explore a partnership with AuditSoft to enhance or create your safety certification program. AuditSoft can be configured for most audit or assessment programs. Helping clients tap into data to drive improvements and measure impact.

Peter Spence, VP of Partnerships
[email protected]
AuditSoft