The behavioral health crisis facing construction is intimidating—the industry has the highest rate of overdose deaths and the second highest rate of suicides compared to all other U.S. industries—but it’s not insurmountable.
The construction industry has been hit hard by "deaths of despair" - suicide, unintentional overdose, and deaths caused by chronic alcohol misuse - and unfortunately the situation appears to be getting worse.
Opioid use, misuse, and overdose deaths have risen dramatically since 1999. In 2017, opioid misuse was declared a public health emergency, and the US government has launched several programs to address the crisis. But what are opioids and why are they so dangerous?
Commissioner Randall Liberty talks about the programs he's put into Maine prisons and jails to provide supportive interventions like Medication Assisted Treatment to reduce opioid overdoses and recidivism.
When one person struggles with substance use, it affects the whole family, which means the whole family needs help. This infographic shares why self-care is important and where families can go for support.