This month, Hard Hat Courage, a cross-industry initiative led by the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention in partnership with major construction companies, has announced the launch of a nationwide 988 sticker campaign, to raise awareness of mental health issues in the construction industry and feature the 988 resource on hard hats across the U.S. 

Launched during Construction Safety Week and Mental Health Awareness Month, “A Call to Save Lives” is an initiative calling on industry leaders and safety professionals to distribute thousands of stickers on hard hats across the US to raise broader awareness and reduce the stigma of mental health challenges. It aims to make suicide prevention resources more accessible and as important as physical safety protections. To launch the campaign, four major construction companies have committed to distributing more than 30,000 stickers, ensuring the 988 Lifeline is visible on jobsites across the country.

“Mental health is just as important as physical safety,” said Trisha Calabrese, senior vice president of programs at AFSP. “By placing 988 on a hard hat, companies can send a clear message to every worker that mental health is a critical part of their overall wellbeing. This campaign provides a new way of bringing suicide prevention resources to jobsites nationwide.”

According to the CDC, the construction industry maintains one of the highest suicide rates among all professions in the United States. And concern extends to the general public. In a recent Harris Poll conducted by AFSP, the National Action Alliance for Suicide Prevention and the Suicide Prevention Resource Center, there has been a general uptick in individuals reporting they know someone who has attempted or contemplated suicide, By placing the 988 number directly onto worker gear, the initiative aims to normalize mental health outreach and resources in an environment where  is often overlooked.

Industry leaders and contractors interested in joining the movement or accessing mental health resources tailored for the construction trade can learn more at HardHatCourage.com