By: Danielle Andrus

One of your workers shows up on the jobsite one day and asks his buddy if he wants his boots. He gives his tool belt to another coworker. Two days later, his family calls to say your worker took his life and ask if there had been any warning signs of suicide.

Giving away possessions is just one of the warning signs that a person is seriously contemplating suicide, according to Dr. Sally Spencer-Thomas, a clinical psychologist and speaker on suicide prevention. Extreme mood swings, increased use of drugs or alcohol and talking about wanting to die or acquiring the means to do so are also signs that someone is struggling.

Suicide is not just a problem for the construction industry. It’s the leading cause of death in the United States, and suicide rates have increased in almost every state, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Colorado is among the states with the biggest increase in suicide rates. Between 1996 and 2016, the suicide rate in our state increased over 34%, compared to the national average of 25.4%. Read more...