Program aims to address alarming mental health and suicide rates among construction workers
The Keystone Contractors Association (KCA) announced that they are now officially certified to teach VitalCog: Suicide Prevention in the Workplace, a nationally recognized training program specifically designed for the construction industry.
The certification marks another major step in KCA’s ongoing commitment to improving mental health awareness and suicide prevention efforts across Pennsylvania’s construction workforce.
The announcement comes on the heels of the successful 2nd Annual AFSP Construction Hike for Hope, which brought together construction professionals, labor leaders, contractors, and advocates across the state to raise awareness surrounding mental health and suicide prevention in the industry.
“Construction workers face unique pressures both on and off the jobsite, and the statistics surrounding suicide in our industry are impossible to ignore,” said Jon O’Brien, Executive Director, KCA. “By becoming a certified VitalCog instructor, I can now provide companies with practical tools and training that help workers recognize warning signs, start conversations, and connect people with support before a crisis occurs.”
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the construction industry consistently experiences one of the highest suicide rates among all occupations in the United States. Studies have shown construction workers are at a significantly greater risk due to factors including high stress, chronic pain, substance misuse, financial pressures, long hours, and stigma surrounding mental health discussions.
Additional national research has found:
- More than 5,000 construction workers die by suicide each year in the United States.
- The suicide rate among construction and extraction workers is among the highest of any major occupational group.
- An estimated one in five construction workers struggles with mental health challenges.
- Many workers report they are more comfortable discussing physical injuries than mental health concerns.
VitalCog training is designed specifically for construction workplaces and focuses on:
- Recognizing the warning signs of suicide risk
- How to start supportive conversations
- Reducing stigma surrounding mental health
- Connecting workers to available resources and assistance
KCA is now scheduling VitalCog training sessions for construction companies, contractors, associations, apprenticeship programs, and industry organizations throughout Pennsylvania.
The training can be delivered as a stand-alone workshop or incorporated into existing safety meetings, workforce development programs, or company wellness initiatives.
“Safety in construction goes beyond hard hats and harnesses,” O’Brien added. “Protecting the mental health of our workforce is just as important as protecting physical safety on the jobsite.”
For more information or to schedule a VitalCog training session, contact the KCA at Jon@KeystoneContractors.com.
About the Keystone Contractors Association
The Keystone Contractors Association represents Pennsylvania’s construction employers and works to promote workforce development, jobsite safety, industry advocacy, and contractor support throughout the Commonwealth.
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