Press release: Suicide kills more construction workers than falls from height

UK based insurance broker constructaquote.com are shedding light on the difficult subject of male suicide in their latest blog after recent research found that men working in the construction industry are more likely to die from taking their own lives than falling from height.

Featuring research conducted by the charity Samaritans which was presented at a seminar hosted by the Building Engineering Service Association (BESA), the Electrical Contractors’ Association (ECA); and the Chartered Institute of Building Services Engineers, the blog looks to highlight alarming statistics and introduce a new celebrity-led campaign “it’s OK to talk” in time for World Suicide Prevention Day on 10th September 2016.

Speaking at the event, Samaritans regional partnerships officer, Will Skinner said “With the amount of energy being put into managing physical risk; you have to question whether the industry is getting the health and safety balance right” With procedures in place to help spot the signs for hazards that could cause physical injury, there are calls for companies to introduce something similar for mental health.

With emphasis being placed on breaking down the preconceptions of mental health issues particularly in such a traditionally masculine industry such as construction, ECA director of business policy Paul Reeve said "it won't be easy, but we must challenge this sort of prejudice".

Statistics from the seminar included “every 90 minutes, someone in the UK takes their own life”, “In the UK in 2014 there were 6,122 recorded deaths by suicide, of which 76% were men.” and “suicide is the biggest cause of death for men under 50 with the highest suicide rate being among males aged 45-59”.

Lyndon Wood, CEO and founder of constructaquote.com said: “These statistics are extremely alarming but as a business that has always cared about people, the fact we’re bringing these issues to light and the construction industry is taking them seriously is a positive step in the right direction.”

He continued “I will personally be getting involved with the “It’s Ok to talk” campaign on twitter, tweeting support for men everywhere. No matter who you are, you should never feel like you have no one to talk to.”

World suicide prevention day is on 10th September 2016 – For more information please visit: www.samaritans.org

Sources:

https://blog.constructaquote.com/suicide-kills-construction-workers-accidents/

http://www.theconstructionindex.co.uk/news/view/suicide-kills-far-more-construction-workers-than-falls

http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/people-making-its-ok-sign-8589713

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