By Mary Klett, ASA Communications Team
People are good at hiding problems, showing different personas at work, at home, with friends. We’ve all done it. But over time, putting on a “good show” can wear us down. A death of a loved one, a severe (or maybe not so severe) injury, a divorce, whatever, can put us on a destructive path that can tear us and our loved ones apart.
Addiction
There are many outlets for stress – gambling, drinking, pain meds, exercise, eating, shopping…each has its own rewards – and if taken to the extreme – penalties. Which creates more stress. It’s a downward spiral that can only be stopped by realizing for ourselves that we are causing harm – to ourselves and/or others – and we need to stop.
As the industry with the second highest suicide rate (after mining, oil/gas extraction), construction has many factors which contribute to this undesirable standing. Short timelines, low job security, “tough guy/gal” culture, poor supervision and colleague support are just a few of the circumstances unique to this industry. Sure, you’re in a work “team”, but each person has their own responsibility. A person without a support system can quickly lead to depression, alcoholism, suicide. An injury and/or subsequent surgery can lead to opioid addiction after just a few days of use.
Source: Laborers’ Health & Safety Fund of North America. www.lhsfna.org/
publications/what-to-ask-your-doctor-before-taking-opioids.
The Covid pandemic has merged work and private life, created more stress, and brought mental wellness to the forefront of our healthcare system. Finally.
So the first thing to do is make sure the support system is there. It may be family, friends, or it may need to come from work, where people spend the majority of their waking hours. Having an effective Employee Assistance Program (EAP) is vital to a successful company. People need to feel safe, that they’ll be listened to, and heard. They need to be able to talk with someone who understands their anxieties, their thoughts, what they’re saying, and just as importantly, what they’re NOT saying.
There are plenty of highly functioning persons with various addictions. But while they may think they’re only harming themselves, others notice. Lateness, sloppy work, slower work…it may happen gradually, but you’re not just harming yourself, you’re hurting everyone who relies on you. People notice.
How to help – How to get help
Everyone can play a role in preventing suicide. If a person has made up their mind to kill themselves, there’s nothing you can do. But…if you suspect someone might be having suicidal thoughts, TALK TO THEM. Ask them if they plan to harm themselves, harm others? Saying it out loud is the best way to approach them, get them to talk. Ask them what’s wrong. Suggest they get help, call 988 to talk to someone who can help them. If they won’t, YOU call, and ask what to do.
Source: LEARN Saves Lives®; Forefront Suicide Prevention; University of Washington.
The construction industry is starting to address this addiction and suicide crisis in its ranks. We still have a long way to go, but the resources are out there, good companies are putting programs and procedures in place to help those who want help. We just have to learn to ask for help.
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Many thanks to Joselin Martin of True North CFO, and Cal Beyer of Holmes Murphy & Associates for sharing their background, their experiences with addiction, and their passion for creating a stronger, healthier construction industry.
