IBEAM (Ideal Body, Environment, and Mind) is a suicide prevention program for the construction industry developed by SAVE in partnership with WTW. Traditionally, construction industry risk control efforts have focused entirely on physical loss. IBEAM works to change that, offering virtual education or training at all levels of the workforce, enhancing core competencies related to mental health and suicide prevention.
Introduction
A confluence of factors and issues have resulted in the construction industry having among the highest suicide rates of all occupations. Contributing factors include:
- Occupational culture of the industry
- Transient nature of the workforce with no connection to workplace community
- Substance abuse originating from pain management
- Demographic make-up of the construction industry
- Physically demanding and dangerous work
- Accessibility to lethal means
By applying the same mentality into psychological safety and wellbeing, safety professionals can help create an environment which:
- Creates a culture in which workers are comfortable to initiate a dialogue about their personal issues
- Breaks through the stigma surrounding the topic of mental health
- Enables communication on the topic with the labor force and makes it a subject for safety meetings and company communications
- Facilitates leadership in setting the tone on this issue by making suicide prevention a health and safety priority
- Supports employers in ensuring that suicide prevention resources are accessible and that personnel are trained in suicide intervention skills
Watch a short video to learn more about the issue of suicide in the construction industry.
Program details
IBEAM aims to create a more informed, supportive, and resilient workforce with the ultimate goal of reducing suicide in the construction industry. The program consists of three components:
IBEAM Executive
IBEAM Executive is for principals, owners, and senior stakeholders, focusing on the pivotal role these leaders play in shaping organizational culture. This 15-minute educational learning session emphasizes the critical importance of driving a supportive and inclusive culture that prioritizes the mental health, suicide prevention, and well-being of employees. Throughout the session, executives learn more about the IBEAM program and strategies.
- Duration: 15 minutes
- Who should take it: Principals, owners, C-suite, and other senior stakeholders
- Technology: The learning session can be completed on a computer, tablet or smartphone
- Cost: FREE
- Learning objectives:
- Increase participants knowledge about the issue of suicide in the construction industry
- Develop nuanced attitudes toward and beliefs about suicide
- Increase the likelihood participants will implement suicide prevention policies, procedures, or protocols at their construction company
IBEAM Supervisor
IBEAM Supervisor is an online, self-paced course specifically tailored for foremen, managers, supervisors, and human resources professionals. This training is structured to help these key personnel develop a fundamental competency in three critical areas: suicide prevention, intervention, and postvention. By empowering leaders with the knowledge and skills to effectively address and manage mental health crises within their teams, the course aims to create safer, more responsive workplaces.
- Duration: 2-3 hours
- Who should take it: Foremen, managers, supervisors, safety, and HR professionals
- Technology: The training can be completed on a computer, tablet, or smartphone
- Cost: FREE
- Learning objectives:
- Increase knowledge and understanding about suicide, mental health, and the factors contributing to suicidal ideation including risk factors specific to the construction industry.
- Increase ability to recognize behavioral, emotional, and verbal warning signs in employees.
- Increase ability to engage in compassionate, non-judgmental conversations about mental health and suicide.
- Increase level of comfort to implement a clear protocol for responding to an immediate crisis, suspected suicidal ideation, and after a suicide attempt or loss occurs.
- Increase knowledge of internal and external resources for employee support, and encourage self-care among supervisors themselves.
IBEAM Workforce
IBEAM Workforce is a suite of five educational videos that can be implemented at all levels of the workforce, designed to enhance general awareness of key concepts related to mental health, mental wellness, and suicide prevention. The educational videos are available on demand, providing adaptability and flexibility for HR or safety personnel to implement the video suite and accompanying materials in multiple ways to meet learners where they are. Videos and accompanying materials are available in English and Spanish.
- Duration: 20 minutes of content across all five videos
- Who should take it: Anyone working in the construction industry
- Technology: The video suite can be viewed or downloaded on a computer, tablet, or smart phone
- Cost: FREE
- Learning objectives:
- Video 1 – Increase understanding of mental health and why it is important
- Video 2 – Increase knowledge about mental wellness and how to foster it
- Video 3 – Increase understanding of the relationship between suicide risk and the construction industry
- Video 4 – Increase knowledge and skills on how to provide support to someone who may be experiencing a mental health crisis
- Video 5 – Identifying someone having suicidal thoughts and how to support them
IBEAM’s complete suite launches May 1!
Access to IBEAM Executive and Supervisor will be released May 1, 2025. Please check back then.
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