Statewide Effort Strengthens Mental Health Support for Construction Workers During Suicide Prevention Week

MIOSHA Senior Construction Safety Consultant Jim Getting speaks during a Construction Suicide Prevention Week event in Lansing on Sept. 8, 2025.

LANSING, Mich. — The Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity's (LEO) Michigan Occupational Safety and Health Administration (MIOSHA) kicked off Construction Suicide Prevention Week with events across the state focused on addressing the mental health crisis in the construction industry.

“Our mission is to protect workers and support employers in creating safe and healthy workplaces across the state,” said Sean Egan, LEO deputy director of labor. “Every worker deserves the support to thrive. In construction, where suicide rates are highest, we must break stigma, raise awareness, and give employees and their employers the tools and resources they need to stay healthy, safe and strong.”

Partnering with Michigan-based companies including The Christman Company and trade organizations such as the Associated General Contractors (AGC) of Michigan, MIOSHA staff joined industry leaders to raise awareness, share resources and connect skilled trade workers with help during Construction Suicide Prevention Week, Sept. 8–12, 2025.

Nationally, nearly 6,000 construction workers died by suicide in 2022, a rate nearly four times higher than the general population, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. That same year, 175 construction worker suicides were reported in Michigan, all involving men, underscoring the urgent need for targeted resources in this predominantly male workforce. With more than 206,000 construction employees in Michigan, the stakes for prevention remain high.

“Suicide remains a serious, often overlooked problem in construction, with tragic consequences for workers and their families. By strengthening connections on the jobsite and encouraging open conversations, we can reduce risks and build a culture of care across the industry,” said Bart Pickelman, MIOSHA director.

Joining in efforts to increase mental health awareness is Lansing-based Christman Construction, which is overseeing construction of the new public health and environmental science laboratory at the State Secondary Complex in Dimondale. Nearly 200 tradespeople are working on the 300,000-square-foot facility, which is expected to be completed in late 2026.

“At Christman, we don’t just talk about safety. It’s part of who we are,” said Don Staley, senior vice president and safety director at The Christman Company. “Our people are our top priority, and that means looking out for their physical safety as well as supporting their mental health. Suicide prevention is part of that commitment. By teaming up with MIOSHA and our partners across the industry, we are working to break the silence, end the stigma, and make sure every worker knows they are supported and never alone.”

Construction workers sign a banner reading “Together, we can save lives” during a Construction Suicide Prevention Week event in Lansing on Sept. 8, 2025.

Construction Suicide Prevention Week is held each September as part of National Suicide Prevention Month, a time to raise awareness, promote hope and normalize seeking help. This year’s theme, building community, encourages workers and employers to check in with one another and create connections that reduce isolation and suicide risk.

“As someone who has spent decades in construction and now works as a licensed therapist, I’ve seen firsthand how important it is to treat mental health as part of jobsite safety,” said Mark Dyke, professor in Ferris State University’s Construction Technology and Management Program and owner of Collaborative Counseling Group. “The men and women who build our communities face unique pressures that too often go unspoken. By raising awareness and providing tools for support, we can save lives and create a stronger, healthier construction industry.”

Additional resources

• Mental Health in the Workplace: Learn more at Michigan.gov/MIOSHA.
• Participate in Construction Suicide Prevention Week: Access videos, toolbox talks, and other resources at ConstructionSuicidePrevention.com.
• OSHA resources on suicide and mental health in construction: osha.gov/preventingsuicides.
• 988 Lifeline: If you’re struggling with work-related stress, reach out for help. Call or text 988 or visit 988lifeline.org for support.