Building a Work Culture to Prevent Employee Suicides

Men in Utah are at higher risk of suicide than women. And, in the construction industry's predominantly male workforce, it's even more worrisome. Suicide is the leading cause of death for construction workers, claiming more lives than all workplace-related fatalities combined. In this episode, FM100.3 Host Rebecca Cressman is joined by Marissa Gallegos, Benefits Manager at Big-D Construction who is an expert on mentoring and policy work in the construction industry.  Marissa explains how employers can transform a work culture to make it safe and normal for an employee in crisis to get help and what policies a workplace can put into place that will help prevent suicide and create a culture that supports mental health. To learn more about how to help someone live on, visit LiveOnUtah.org. Or to reach immediate help in Utah, text or call 988 to reach the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline.

Utah Weekly Forum is a weekly community affairs conversation about the growing and changing needs, resources, and issues affecting the diverse people and communities along the Wasatch Front mountains, within Salt Lake City, and beyond. Utah Weekly Forum is hosted and produced by Rebecca Cressman, KSFI Midday Radio Personality in Salt Lake City.  The interview program is broadcast Sunday evenings on FM100.3, KSFI Radio at 11:00pm and on 103.5 FM on Sunday mornings at 5:30am. You can reach Rebecca with questions and show ideas at Rebecca@FM100.com.