‘Lines for Life’ launches new line dedicated to construction workers

PORTLAND, Ore. (KPTV) - For years, Lines for Life has helped thousands of callers struggling with mental health issues. Now, the trusted help line is undertaking a new initiative.

In addition to helping anyone, 24/7, Lines for Life is known for having dedicated phone lines for specific groups, including teens and military veterans. They’ve now launched a line dedicated to construction workers.

The Construction CareLine is a newly dedicated resource at Lines for Life to assist construction workers dealing with mental health issues.

Chief Clinical Officer Greg Borders says those issues have proven to be surprisingly serious.

“Lines for Life really got involved with the construction industry around suicide before the pandemic. And, we were surprised ourselves to find out that, suicide rate was incredibly high amongst folks that work in that industry,” Borders said.

In fact, recent numbers show construction workers are six times more likely to lose their lives to suicide than anything they might encounter on the job site. They show that thousands die from suicide every year, and the construction industry has the second highest suicide rate of any industry, second only to the energy sector, which includes coal mining and oil rig work.

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Experts say there’s a long list of reasons construction workers struggle, including a tough guy culture.

“Talking about mental health is not something that, you know, typically happens on the job. We’re changing that, I think,” said Borders.

The new care line is part of the Construction Suicide Prevention partnership, which is trying new approaches to address the problem. They include “Toolbox Talks,” where workers start the day warming un the mind and body; and dedicated rooms at construction sites where workers can escape the daily pressure and easily find resources, showing that help is available and that includes the care line.

“So, if you call the Construction CareLine, you’re going to reach a clinician who is there to empathize with you, to hear your story, to spend time with you,” said Borders.

Those clinicians are tapped in to a network of resources to give construction workers the specific support they need. Support that often saves lives and is only a phone call away. Help is available to anyone, 24/7, by simply dialing 988.

More information about the Construction CareLine can be found here.