CFMA Spreads Suicide Prevention Awareness

According to a recent report released by the CDC, the construction industry has the second-highest rate of suicide (per 100,000 population). Given the male-dominated workforce and other indicators prevalent in construction, it’s imperative to bring suicide prevention to the forefront of safety, risk management, and HR discussions in construction companies.

On September 10, the Construction Financial Management Association (CFMA) joined the International Association for Suicide Prevention (IASP) and others around the world to help spread awareness and resources around the goal of preventing suicide.

CFMA’s journey to spread awareness and resources surrounding suicide prevention has covered much ground in little more than a year’s time. April 2016 saw CFMA’s Valley of the Sun Chapter hosting the first regional summit on the topic; CFMA’s Chicago, Charlotte, Grand Rapids, and Portland Chapters have similar events scheduled in 2016 and 2017. After their collaboration on a late 2015 issue of CFMA Building Profits article, longtime CFMA member, Cal Beyer, director of risk management at Lakeside Industries and executive committee member of the National Action Alliance for Suicide Prevention, and Dr. Sally Spencer-Thomas, CEO and co-founder of the Carson J. Spencer Foundation, mental health advocate, and survivor of her brother’s suicide, have gone on to author more than a dozen articles and spearhead just as many presentations throughout the construction industry. Their most recent work Construction + Suicide Prevention addresses why prevention is imperative in the construction industry and provides 10 action steps companies can take to save lives.

Stuart Binstock, CFMA president & CEO, further details, “CFMA is dedicating resources toward suicide prevention for one reason: If one accepts the premise that our members are responsible for the financial resources of a company and that the health and safety of human capital is an important financial resource, then how could we not get involved in educating the construction industry about this topic?”

The First Construction Industry Alliance for Suicide Prevention Association Member

CFMA formed the Construction Industry Alliance for Suicide Prevention to gather and disseminate information and resources, share education and programming for CFMA’s 94 chapters across North America, and promote initiatives to support suicide prevention. Most recently, the National Association of Surety Bond Producers (NASBP) has shown its support of creating a zero suicide industry by becoming the first association member of the Alliance.

NASBP CEO Mark McCallum affirms, “The conversation around suicide prevention in the construction industry has taken a leap forward with the formation of CFMA’s Construction Industry Alliance for Suicide Prevention. On behalf of our membership of surety bond producers and allied professionals, I’m proud of NASBP’s decision to commit to this cause, as demonstrated by joining the Alliance and supporting and participating in efforts to raise awareness of this critical issue. The health of the construction industry workforce is important to the well-being and competitiveness of this country, and suicide prevention among construction workers now is being made a focal point.”

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