With a suicide rate that is four times greater than the national average, the construction industry is facing a crisis. An estimated 6,000 construction workers died by suicide in 2022, an increase from 2021, according to the most recent data available. That compares to around 1,000 who died from a construction work-related injury.
There are many misconceptions about suicide, including that it only affects people who suffer from mental illness, that once suicidal, that they will remain suicidal, that talking about suicide will encourage suicide, and that suicide is selfish; however, these ideas are often the furthest from reality. As a society, we are often afraid to speak up about depression and suicide, leaving those suffering feeling alone and misunderstood. Understanding why suicide occurs and advocating for mental health awareness is the first step toward eradicating the stigma. September is National Suicide Prevention Awareness Month, no better time for content such as this.
Hand in hand, mental health is a key challenge as well. One of the top three workplace problems is depression and often employees suffer alone because of fear of losing their job or not getting a promotion; they worry about coworkers and their managers judging them, and they risk being misunderstood. In this webinar our speakers will discuss the importance of raising suicide prevention and mental health awareness among employees and how companies can implement mental health programs.
This recorded webinar is brought to you by the Florida Pavement Preservation Council (FPPC) in concert with the Florida LTAP Center. FPPC is a non-profit organization organized in 2010 under the National Center for Pavement Preservation at Michigan State University. FPPC’s purpose is to support Pavement Preservation and asset management education and outreach to local agencies across Florida.
Learning Objectives
- Increase awareness of attendees on the challenges facing the industry from suicide and mental health issues.
- Educate attendees of the webinar on how to identify at risk individuals and how best to engage them to improve workplace mental health and decrease suicide risk.
- Advocate for safer workplace environments and reduce the stigma surrounding both suicide and workplace mental health.
Instructor Bios
Dr. Vince Hafeli, D.B.A. – Step into the world of Dr. Vince, where motivation and inspiration meet to create a powerful force for change. With his electrifying energy and empowering message, Dr. Vince has become one of the nation’s most sought-after motivational speakers on mental health, safety, and transformational leadership. Dr. Vince brings thirty-nine years of industry experience, his Doctorate of Business Administration Degree, and research on mental health and suicide in construction to the webinar. Among the most recent four years he’s been leading a team of 475 employees as President for Ajax Paving Industries of Florida, LLC a leader in the Heavy Highway Industry in Florida.
Matthew LaChance – Matt has worked in the Asphalt/Preservation Maintenance industry for over 35 years in various capacities. In that time, he lost a friend and coworker to suicide and is also the surviving father of a child lost to suicide. Matt’s experiences with suicide and mental illness enables him to engage with attendees and convey that by sharing with people, we can bring light to a dark subject. We can learn to have an open dialog without fear or shame and help others when they need it most. Matt has learned that keeping the conversation going is critical to saving lives; as long as people are talking, they are breathing.
Chris Evers is the Executive Coordinator from the Florida Pavement Preservation Council in addition to his role with Pavement Technology Inc., a company he joined in 2012. Chris was instrumental in the founding of the Florida Pavement Preservation Council in 2010. Chris has over 26 years of experience in the heavy highway construction industry. Chris has been involved in all facets of heavy highway educational efforts. He is the Past President of the American Public Works Association Florida Chapter. His involvement in the Florida Chapter has spanned a multitude of Committee Chairs, Task Forces and Officer Positions. In 2012 he founded the Public Works Director Roundtable and he also moderates the International PWD Roundtable at PWX. He has been an active speaker for APWA, FACERS, ASCE, ASHE, ARRA, Florida T2 Center, and the Florida Airports Council. Chris was recently honored by APWA as a Top Ten Award recipient for 2023. A faithful disciple of Pavement Preservation, he will be our moderator today.
RECORDING
To earn Professional Development Hours (PDHs) or a Certificate of Completion for each recorded webinar, you must view the entire webinar. After viewing, please fill out the web form at the link below to request your certificate. The Florida LTAP Center will follow-up within 2-3 weeks.
This webinar will award 1.5 PDHs.
Click the link below to view the recorded webinar
Suicide Prevention & Mental Health Awareness in the Construction and Public Works Industry