It’s past time to break the silence and stop the stigma of suicide, especially in the workplace.
Suicidal thoughts can affect anyone, including trade workers and executives in the construction industry. The industry ranks No. 1 for the number of suicides and suicide attempts. Suicide has been traditionally considered a personal, family or societal issue—rarely a workplace issue.
But by talking about suicide at work, Kathleen Dobson hopes to save lives. Dobson, a 20-plus year veteran in the construction industry, serves as safety director for Alberici Constructors, Inc. and works throughout North America to support safe work in the company’s automotive mining, healthy civil and industrial processes markets.
During her session at the 2020 Safety Leadership Conference, which takes place Nov. 10-12 virtually, Dobson shares how to recognize the signs and symptoms of suicide and how to not only raise awareness but hopefully prevent employee loss of life.
Dobson previews her session, “Crisis in Construction: Mental Health and Suicide Awareness,” co-presented with Angela Cloud, in a Q&A with EHS Today.
EHS Today: Can you offer us a short description of your presentation and describe how it relates to safety leadership?
Dobson: Suicide is a crisis in our country—and in our industry. Leaders must understand how to address the issue and establish best practices in their organizations to identify risk factors and support measures.
Why is the topic of your presentation of interest to you and why is it important to SLC attendees?
Although suicide is a societal and public health issue, it isn't very well addressed as a workplace issue, especially in construction.
What are the takeaways you hope to leave with attendees?
- Identify risk factors
- Identify resources
- Learn ways to assess company preparedness in addressing suicide awareness and prevention
- Know signs of mental health disorders and how to intervene.
Please share an example of a personal or professional experience you’ve had related to safety leadership or the topic of your presentation.
About a year ago, a woman in the building trades took her own life. Although I didn't personally know her, I recognized that she likely needed help and support for the issues she was dealing with and didn't know where to turn. There are so many valuable resources available. I want to assure persons in the construction industry know where to go for resources and training on substance abuse prevention, opioid addiction and suicide prevention.
What do you think are some of the most pressing EHS and risk management issues facing corporate leaders and safety professionals in 2020 and beyond?
If you would have asked late last year, my responses would be vastly different. In 2020 and beyond, we will need to know and understand how to keep our workers safe from COVID-19 and how we can maintain “normalcy” in an age of masks and personal distancing. I also believe that the results of the upcoming 2020 elections will impact our industry as we look at infrastructure, green building, ecological impacts and small business impacts of COVID-19. We will need to establish new protocols and SOP's as we move into the next few years.
Please provide any additional insight or comments about your topic of discussion.
Regardless of what position is held in an organization, we all have an accountability to assure that our companies are inclusive, open and willing to aid and support persons in times of personal and business crisis.
Editor’s Note: For more information on the 2020 Safety Leadership Conference, including registration, click here.
