With one of the highest suicide rates, the U.S. construction industry faces unique challenges fueled by long hours, physical strain, job insecurity, and mental health stigma. The silent crisis around suicide remains a growing concern for construction professionals, causing more fatalities than jobsite accidents each year.

On Saturday, June 13, the Illinois Chapter of the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP) will bring the Illinois Construction Hike for Hope fundraising and awareness event to Downers Grove and Grafton, providing workers and community members a place to foster connection and confront this issue head-on. These critical funds go directly to AFSP's lifesaving research, education, advocacy and survivor support programming.

Suicide is a leading cause of death with an estimated 12 workers nationwide dying from it each day. The event is part of AFSP's nationwide Construction Hike for Hope initiative, created to engage construction workers, their families, and industry stakeholders around the urgent need for mental health awareness and suicide prevention.

"Many construction workers are struggling with mental health in silence," said Angela Cummings, executive director of AFSP Illinois. "The Construction Hike for Hope raises awareness for suicide prevention, challenges stigma, and ensures workers and their families understand that help is available. Mental health must be treated as a core part of jobsite safety."

Registration is free and open to the public. For more information, visit http://afsp.org/ILConstruction.