A new government report highlights suicide rates among different occupations and found surprising differences between industries for both men and women. According to the most recent research, suicide rates are highest among men in construction and extraction industries, while they are highest among women working in arts, design, entertainment, sports, and media.
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James Donaldson notes:
Welcome to the “next chapter” of my life… being a voice and an advocate for mental health awareness and suicide prevention, especially pertaining to our younger generation of students and student-athletes.
Getting men to speak up and reach out for help and assistance is one of my passions. Us men need to not suffer in silence or drown our sorrows in alcohol, hang out at bars and strip joints, or get involved with drug use.
Having gone through a recent bout of depression and suicidal thoughts myself, I realize now, that I can make a huge difference in the lives of so many by sharing my story, and by sharing various resources I come across as I work in this space. http://bit.ly/JamesMentalHealthArticle
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The report also shows a 34% increase in suicides among the U.S. working-age population between 2000 and 2016, from 12.9 per 100,000 people to 17.3.
These statistics come from an analysis of 22,053 people in 17 states, ages 16 to 64, who died by suicide in either 2012 or 2015. Researchers with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) grouped those deaths into 22 different industry categories and published their findings this week in Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report.
In both 2012 and 2015, the construction and extraction industry category had the highest suicide rates for men: 43.6 and 53.2 per 100,000 working persons, respectively. In 2015, the arts, design, entertainment, sports, and media category had the second highest suicide rate among men (and also the highest increase in suicides since 2012), while the installation, maintenance, and repair industry had the third highest.
For women, the highest-risk industry category in both 2012 and 2015 was arts, design, entertainment, sports, and media—with 11.7 and 15.6 suicides per 100,000, respectively. Protective services and health care support (which did not include health care practitioners and technical occupations) had the second and third highest suicide rates for women in 2015, while food preparation and serving-related occupations saw the highest increase since 2012.
Among both men and women, the lowest suicide rates in 2015 were observed among people in education, training, and library occupations.
In their new report, the CDC researchers point out that the workplace is an “important but underutilized” location for suicide prevention efforts, because it’s where many adults spend substantial amounts of time. “Workplaces could potentially benefit from suicide prevention activities,” the authors wrote, and tailored approaches might be necessary “to support workers at higher risk.”
RELATED: What to Say—and Not to Say—When You Talk About Suicide
Factors such as job insecurity and lack of job control have been associated with psychological distress and suicide, the authors wrote in their paper. Certain occupations also tend to be associated with lower income and education, which can influence suicide rates, as well. More research is needed to know whether improving working conditions and reducing stress could have an effect on these trends, they wrote.
To help prevent suicide, the CDC recommends that employers implement workplace wellness programs and online mental health screenings, increase awareness of the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (1-800-273-TALK [8255]), and reduce access to “lethal means” among people at risk.
Workplaces can also aim to enhance social connectedness and expand access to resources, strengthen state or local economic supports, implement practices that decrease stigma and encourage people to seek help, and provide referrals to mental health professionals, the authors wrote in their paper. And employers should have a response plan in place—should a suicide affect their organization—to address the issue with workers and support surviving family and friends.
“Increasing suicide rates in the U.S. are a concerning trend that represent a tragedy for families and communities and impact the American workforce,” said Deb Houry, MD, MPH, director of the CDC’s National Center for Injury Prevention and Control, in an agency press release. “Knowing who is at greater risk for suicide can help save lives through focused prevention efforts.”
While this study focused on American’s working-age populations, the CDC has previously reported that suicide rates have been climbing among nearly every demographic, age group, and geographic area. A report published earlier this year by the National Center for Health Statistics also found that this increase has been especially high among girls and women.
“If you are concerned that someone you care about is thinking about suicide, have the difficult conversation and ask them,” Colleen Carr, director of the National Action Alliance for Suicide Prevention, told Health earlier this year. “It will not put the thought in their head or make them feel worse. It tends to give people relief that the door has been opened to have this candid conversation and get support. Do not judge or try to solve their problem–just listen.”
If you or someone you know is thinking about suicide, call the toll-free National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255).
James Donaldson is a Washington State University graduate (’79). After an outstanding basketball career with WSU, he went on to play professional basketball in the NBA with the Seattle Supersonics, San Diego/L.A. Clippers, Dallas Mavericks, New York Knicks, and Utah Jazz. He also played for several teams in the European Leagues in Spain, Italy, and Greece, and he toured with The Harlem Globetrotters to wrap up his career. James was an NBA All-Star in 1988 while playing center for the Dallas Mavericks. In 2006, James was inducted into the Pac-10 Sports Hall of Fame and also the Washington State University Athletic Hall of Fame. In 2010, James was elected as a board member for the NBA Retired Players Association.
James frequently conducts speaking engagements (motivational, inspirational, educational) for organizations, schools, and youth groups.
In 2010, James was the recipient of the NBA Legends of Basketball ABC Award, awarded for outstanding contributions in Athletics–Business–Community.
He believes in being a role model for success and professionalism to the scores of young people to whom he devotes so much of his time. He currently serves on several boards and committees and is a member of many organizations.
James believes in developing relationships that create a “Win-Win” environment for everyone involved, and in being the best he can be!
For more information about James Donaldson or to request he speak at your event, contact him at:
www.StandingAboveTheCrowd.com
JamesD@StandingAboveTheCrowd.com
1-800-745-3161 (voicemail & fax)
James Donaldson is the author of “Standing Above The Crowd” and “Celebrating Your Gift of Life” and founder of the Your Gift of Life Foundation which focuses on mental health awareness and suicide prevention, especially pertaining to our school aged children and men.
If you’re interested in having James come and speak to your group of young adults, business entrepreneurs, aspiring political and community leaders, and athletic teams, please contact him at jamesd@yourgiftoflife.org and or leave a personal message for him at 1-800-745-3161. Keep up with him and read about how he is reaching out and making a difference in the lives of so many around the world at www.yourgiftoflife.org
