Do you know what today is? Yes, it is a Wednesday. It is also the day before the 24th anniversary of 911. It is the birthday of golfer Arnold Palmer, actor Colin Firth, and of Aerosmith guitarist Joe Perry. But, beyond that, today is World Suicide Prevention Day.
In truth, the name of the day is a misnomer. There will be no prevention. No-one will be confiscating handfuls of pills from those struggling with mental health issues. None of us will be expected to talk our friends, family members and colleagues down from a ledge. World Suicide Prevention Day is, first and foremost, a day to raise awareness.
Now, of course, many companies in the demolition and construction industry will likely co-opt the day to shout about their commitment to mental health awareness. LinkedIn will be awash with virtue signalling about mental health first aiders and other such initiatives.
Whether those claims will be matched by any genuine action, no-one knows, though – personally – I doubt it. So ultimately, this comes down purely to awareness.
But my question is this. Who in this industry needs greater awareness of an issue that is claiming the lives of more than 500 of our working men and women each year?
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