I had to share the findings of this report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) which examined suicide rates among American (no concrete data available in Canada yet) workers by different industries and occupations, using data from the 2021 National Vital Statistics System. Over the past two decades, the suicide rate among working-age people in the U.S. has increased by about 33%. To help guide prevention efforts, the CDC analyzed suicide deaths in 49 states, categorizing them by industry (type of business) and occupation (type of work).
Key findings include:
- The overall suicide rate for working men was 32.0 per 100,000 and for women was 8.0 per 100,000.
- Industries with the highest suicide rates for men included Mining (72.0), Construction (56.0), Other Services like automotive repair (50.6), Arts, Entertainment, and Recreation (47.9), and Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing, and Hunting (47.9).
- For women, the highest rates were in Construction (10.4), Other Services (10.4), and Arts, Entertainment, and Recreation (15.0).
- Occupations with the highest suicide rates for men included Construction and Extraction (65.6), Farming, Fishing, and Forestry (49.9), Personal Care and Service (47.1), Installation, Maintenance, and Repair (46.0), and Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media (44.5).
- For women, the highest rates were in Construction and Extraction (25.3), Personal Care and Service (15.9), Installation, Maintenance, and Repair (26.6), and Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media (14.1).
The report emphasizes that workplaces can play a crucial role in preventing suicide by implementing recommended programs and practices. There are several programs and strategies that can be implemented into the workplace. As a National Mental Health First Aid Facilitator & Global Educator I’ve seen and heard the despair of many men and women from the mining and construction industry who are struggling……it doesn’t have to stay this way.
Reach out so we can talk about a plan…. Lisa@newdaywellness.ca
Sussell, A. et al. (2023). Suicide rates by industry and occupation—National Vital Statistics System, United States, 2021. MMWR Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report. http://dx.doi.org/10.15585/mmwr.mm7250a2
Lisa Lounsbury
Founder | New Day Wellness Inc
Educator & Trainer | Mental Health
