Associated Builders and Contractors of California Sponsor Assembly Resolution to Raise Awareness on Suicide Prevention in Construction Industry

Assemblymember Villapudua Shines Light on a Health Problem Plaguing the State’s Construction Industry by Authoring Assembly Concurrent Resolution 23

Sacramento, Calif., March 18, 2021 – The Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) of California today applauded the California State Assembly’s bi-partisan passage of Assembly Concurrent Resolution 23 (ACR 23) to proclaim March 18, 2021 as Construction Suicide Prevention Awareness Day in California – an important health problem impacting the state’s construction industry.

Authored by Assemblymember Carlos Villapudua (D – Stockton), ACR 23 is sponsored by ABC of California – a statewide trade association representing working Californians in all the trades within the construction industry who build commercial, industrial and residential projects.

“Suicide is a complex phenomenon and a serious public health problem that demands our attention,” said Assemblymember Villapudua. “Suicide among the U.S. working-age population (ages 16-64 years) is increasing with suicide among construction workers being one of the highest rates in the Country. With this in mind, I introduced ACR 23 to bring awareness to the issue affecting thousands of construction workers and to remind Californians that we must do everything we can in our power to prevent the circumstances that lead to committing suicide."

According to the National Institute of Mental Health, suicide is the 10th leading cause of death overall in the US, 2nd leading cause of death in those under the age of 34, and 4th leading cause of death in those 35 to 54. The Construction Industry Alliance for Suicide Prevention notes that the “suicide rate in the construction occupations is 49.4/100,000 – that is nearly four times greater than the national average and five times greater than that of all other construction fatalities combined.”

“We are grateful for Assemblymember Villapudua’s support of California’s construction workers by proclaiming March 18, 2021 as Construction Suicide Prevention Awareness Day in California,” said John Hamo, Chair of the Board of Directors of ABC of California. “ACR 23 will go a long way in raising awareness about suicide prevention for Californians working in the construction trades.”

For those in need of help, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255) or text HELLO to 741741 – where every person is connected with a crisis counselor.

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Associated Builders and Contractors is a national construction industry trade association established in 1950 that represents more than 21,000 members. Founded on the merit shop philosophy, ABC and its 69 chapters help members develop people, win work and deliver that work safely, ethically and profitably for the betterment of the communities in which ABC and its members work. Visit us at abc.org.