WEDA Webinar Offers Suicide Prevention Strategies

Asking people if they plan on killing themselves doesn’t cause them to attempt suicide.

That was a key message when the Western Dredging Association (WEDA) hosted a webinar on suicide prevention October 29.

“Suicide Prevention: LEARN to Save Lives” taught participants using the acronym, which stands for: look for warning signs; empathize and listen; ask about suicide; reduce the danger; next steps.

“We don’t have to know exactly what to say in that situation, but focusing in on these five steps can help get the appropriate resources involved,” said Josh Brown, a WEDA member who co-hosted the webinar with Scott Celello, a retired Michigan sheriff.

The session was the second of two mental health-themed webinars WEDA held recently as part of its safety and education missions.

Brown said the topic was especially important because the suicide rate in construction is about 2.5 times greater than the national average and almost five times higher than that of all other construction-related fatalities combined.

“It is a difficult situation to talk about,” Brown acknowledged. “It’s a bit uncomfortable.”

At the same time, he said, it used to be much more difficult for people to talk about cancer. Because that is now talked about more openly, there are more resources and support for those facing that diagnosis, and it’s easier to talk about. He hopes to see the same progress when talking about suicide. Additionally, he noted that the industry has made important strides in other aspects of safety, but that suicide is still not talked about as frequently, even though it touches so many people.

The construction industry, including marine construction, is known for demanding schedules, physical work, travel, working away from families and loved ones, financial pressure, changing project conditions, and a strong culture of independence and “toughness,” Brown said.

“These qualities can contribute to a strong workforce, but it also makes it harder to admit when someone is struggling,” he said.

Brown named warning signs that coworkers should pay attention to, including depression, anxiety, loneliness, anger/irritation, pain, hopelessness/helplessness, shame/humiliation, frustration, withdrawing/isolating, reckless behavior, increasing alcohol/drug use, threats against self, self-harm, insomnia/sleep changes, speaking, joking about or threatening death, researching ways to die, giving away possessions or pets, recent loss of someone to suicide, loss of employment, breakup or divorce, personal history of trauma, involvement with the justice system/incarceration or prejudice/discrimination.

What To Do

When engaging someone at risk in a conversation, choose a time and place that allows a private, uninterrupted conversation. It may also be good to be armed with resources, such as a phone number for a company Employee Assistance Plan or the National Suicide and Crisis Lifeline: 988 or 1-888-273-8255.

The Seamen’s Church Institute also offers a 24-hour Ministry on the River chaplaincy and crisis line for river mariners at 800-708-1998.

Ask the person what is going on. Active listening is important, Brown said. He said to give the person your undivided attention, without checking your phone or having side conversations. Show you are listening by smiling, nodding, encouraging short answers and using attentive body language such as sitting facing the person or using frequent and varied eye contact. Listeners should be calm and nonjudgmental, even if they don’t agree with the person. They can demonstrate understanding by repeating, rephrasing and reflecting what they have shared as well as asking open-ended questions.

“Empathy is different from trying to make someone’s problems disappear,” Brown said.

He suggested avoiding phrases such as “cheer up” or “everything’s going to be OK” as they can feel empty or insincere. Instead, he said, acknowledge what someone is experiencing.

“Sometimes just seeing that another person sees their pain can be validating,” he said.

After listening and demonstrating empathy, it is important to ask directly about whether the person is considering suicide.

“If you’re genuinely concerned, it’s better to ask directly than to use vague language,” Brown said.

He stressed that this should not be an interrogation but an opportunity to be honest about what they are experiencing.

“How we respond after asking the question is really important,” Brown said.

If someone says they are not considering suicide, continue to use empathy, he said.

“This may be more than a one-day check-in,” Brown said. “Don’t just dismiss it because they say no.”

If someone says yes, don’t panic, he said. Stay neutral and take the admission seriously, letting the person know you care and thanking the person for being honest.

“Acknowledge their pain,” he said. “It’s not a time to judge the person or lecture them.”

Don’t leave someone at immediate risk alone, Brown said. Connect the person with resources or support, such as by calling a mental healthcare provider, primary care doctor or crisis line, reaching out to the person’s family and friends for support or, if in immediate danger, calling 911.

Reducing access to lethal means may also be an important step and will depend on their level of risk to themselves and your role and relationship with them, Brown said. It may mean others with access to the person’s living space need to be involved.

Moving Forward

Brown said it is important to continue to check in with the person even after the crisis has passed.

Celello, who gives presentations about suicide awareness around the country, showed how the steps can work in real-life scenarios and spoke about avoiding stigmatizing language.

“What we say does matter,” he said.

It is important not to suggest that going to therapy is a sign of weakness or to undervalue the importance of mental health and appropriate medication use. Comparisons are also not helpful, suggesting that someone is “too much to handle” or that there are others who are “worse off.”

He noted that the top industry where men are most at risk of suicide is mining, but that construction had the second-highest suicide rate.

“It’s a real problem, a real issue, and we’re starting to do things about it,” Celello said.