Construction worker suicide crisis: 4 times higher than general public

Published

2 years ago

July 21, 2023

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Construction workers have one of the highest suicide rates compared to all other professions but a new international initiative hopes to combat the crisis devastating this segment of the blue-collar population.

Male construction workers are about four times more likely than the general population to end their own lives, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. That accounts for 20% of suicides by occupation in the UK and in the US, the situation is just as bad.

It’s the second-highest rate of all industries, at 45 suicides per 100,000 workers, second only to the mining and oil-gas extraction industries.

“Construction workers cope with unique causes of stress,” said Doug Parker, assistant secretary of labor for occupational safety and health for the US Department of Labor, in a statement. These mounting stresses include “uncertain seasonal work; remote work and job travel that keeps workers away from home and support systems; long, hard days and the job-related risks of serious injuries, Parker said.

Construction employment in the New York City metro area which includes Long Island, lower Hudson Valley and Long Island totaled 373,800 jobs, per the latest state comptroller data. That’s amount represents 4.7% of all construction jobs in the US.

Previous CDC research analyzing 2017-2020 data from the National Violent Death Reporting System indicated “suicide risk is associated with low-skilled work, lower education, lower absolute and relative socioeconomic status, work-related access to lethal means and job stress, including poor supervisory and colleague support, low job control and job insecurity.”

However, hope is on the horizon: A just announced collaboration between the global electricity and gas company National Grid and the UK’s University of Warwick hopes to resolve some of the life-threatening mental health obstacles faced by construction workers.

A beta facility named “the Health Hub,” set up on a construction site in Kent, England, includes a gym, social spaces, one-to-one wellbeing coaching, health awareness events and a canteen with free healthy meals.

Several workers reported that the on-site facilities made life easier by helping them better balance their work and mental health without having to give up time spent with friends and families.

Workers also reported more chances to make healthy lifestyle choices and experiencing improved morale, a sense of appreciation from their employer and more awareness of mental health support systems.

Alongside the inaugural Health Hub, researchers at the University of Warwick Medical School conducted an analysis of the issues faced by construction workers, who described how long working hours taxed their physical and mental health and strained their family life, as well as the stigma surrounding mental health issues.

“It was eye-opening to learn about the extent of the challenges faced by workers in the construction industry and the spiraling consequences this can have on their livelihood and wellbeing,” research assistant Sophie Tyerman of the Warwick Medical School said in a statement.

“What stood out from the participant interviews was the camaraderie and peer support workers provided each other, given they often see their colleagues more than their own families,” Tyerman added.

“When it comes to construction facilities those on site tend to be contractors,” said Emma Ford, construction director for National Grid, which provides utilities to the UK and the northeastern US.

“This can mean that they dont receive the same kind of benefits that our people do. The Health Hub was designed to help change that.”

If you are struggling with suicidal thoughts or are experiencing a mental health crisis and live in New York City, you can call 1-888-NYC-WELL for free and confidential crisis counseling. If you live outside the five boroughs, you can dial the 24/7 National Suicide Prevention hotline at 1-800-273-8255 or go to SuicidePreventionLifeline.org.

Sports

AP Week 8 poll reaction: What’s next for each Top 25 team

Published

20 mins ago

October 20, 2025

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AP Week 8 poll reaction: What's next for each Top 25 team

Oct 19, 2025, 02:25 PM ET

Two top five teams lost in Week 8, with Miami losing to Louisville and Ole Miss blowing a multi-score lead against Georgia. Texas Tech’s first loss of the season came in a squeaker against Arizona State. Meanwhile, Ohio State looked as steady as ever in a 34-0 shutout of Wisconsin and Indiana blew out Michigan State to remain undefeated.

What does it all mean for the AP Top 25? Let’s break down the rankings.

Stats courtesy of ESPN Research.

All times Eastern.

Previous ranking: 1

2025 record: 7-0

Week 8 result: Defeated Wisconsin 34-0

Stat to know: Ohio State has won 15 straight games as the AP No. 1, the longest streak by a Big Ten team.

What’s next: Nov. 1 vs. Penn State

Previous ranking: 3

2025 record: 7-0

Week 8 result: Defeated Michigan State 38-13

Stat to know: Indiana is now 16-0 against unranked opponents under Curt Cignetti.

What’s next: Saturday vs. UCLA

Previous ranking: 4

2025 record: 7-0

Week 8 result: Defeated Arkansas 45-42

Stat to know: This is Texas A&M’s first 7-0 start since 1994.

What’s next: Saturday at LSU, 7:30 p.m., ABC

Previous ranking: 6

2025 record: 6-1

Week 8 result: Defeated Tennessee 37-20

Stat to know: With the win over Tennessee, Alabama became the first team in SEC history to win four straight games, all against ranked teams, with no bye week mixed in.

What’s next: Saturday at South Carolina, 3:30 p.m., ABC

Previous ranking: 9

2025 record: 6-1

Week 8 result: Defeated Ole Miss 43-35

Stat to know: Georgia is 2-0 at home under Kirby Smart when trailing by nine or more points entering the fourth quarter.

What’s next: Nov. 1 vs. Florida (in Jacksonville, Florida), 3:30 p.m., ABC

Previous ranking: 8

2025 record: 6-1

Week 8 result: Defeated Rutgers 56-10

Stat to know: Oregon is 6-0 following losses under Dan Lanning.

What’s next: Saturday vs. Wisconsin

Previous ranking: 12

2025 record: 7-0

Week 8 result: Defeated Duke 27-18

Stat to know: Georgia Tech had a 95-yard fumble return in the first quarter, the longest in school history.

What’s next: Saturday vs. Syracuse, noon

Previous ranking: 5

2025 record: 6-1

Week 8 result: Lost to Georgia 43-35

Stat to know: Ole Miss gained just 13 yards in the fourth quarter, tied for its third-fewest in a quarter under Lane Kiffin.

What’s next: Saturday at Oklahoma, noon, ABC

Previous ranking: 2

2025 record: 5-1

Week 8 result: Lost to Louisville 24-21

Stat to know: The loss to Louisville was Miami’s fourth home less as a double-digit favorite under Mario Cristobal, the most losses in FBS in that span (since 2022).

What’s next: Saturday vs. Stanford, 7 p.m., ESPN

Previous ranking: 17

2025 record: 6-1

Week 8 result: Defeated LSU 31-24

Stat to know: This is Vanderbilt’s first 6-1 start since 1950.

What’s next: Saturday vs. Missouri

Previous ranking: 15

2025 record: 7-0

Week 8 result: Defeated Utah 24-21

Stat to know: BYU has started 7-0 in back-to-back seasons for the first time in program history.

What’s next: Saturday at Iowa State, 3:30 p.m., Fox

Previous ranking: 13

2025 record: 5-2

Week 8 result: Defeated USC 34-24

Stat to know: Notre Dame has won seven of its past eight meetings with USC.

What’s next: Nov. 1 at Boston College

Previous ranking: 14

2025 record: 6-1

Week 8 result: Defeated South Carolina 26-7

Stat to know: This was Oklahoma’s first win against South Carolina.

What’s next: Saturday vs. Ole Miss, noon, ABC

Previous ranking: 7

2025 record: 6-1

Week 8 result: Lost to Arizona State 26-22

Stat to know: The loss to Arizona State was Texas Tech’s first game of the season with 20 or more points allowed.

What’s next: Saturday vs. Oklahoma State, 4 p.m.

Previous ranking: 16

2025 record: 6-1

Week 8 result: Defeated Auburn 23-17 (2 OT)

Stat to know: Missouri has won 22 straight games against unranked opponents.

What’s next: Saturday at Vanderbilt

Previous ranking: 18

2025 record: 6-1

Week 8 result: Defeated Washington State 22-20

Stat to know: Virginia’s 6-1 start is its best through seven games since 2007.

What’s next: Saturday at North Carolina, noon, ACC Network

Previous ranking: 11

2025 record: 5-2

Week 8 result: Lost to Alabama 37-20

Stat to know: Tennessee’s 20 points against Alabama is its fewest scored in a game this season.

What’s next: Saturday at Kentucky, 7:45 p.m., SEC Network

Previous ranking: 19

2025 record: 6-1

Week 8 result: Defeated Florida Atlantic 48-13

Stat to know: The win over FAU was South Florida’s fourth straight game with at least 48 points.

What’s next: Saturday at Memphis, noon

Previous ranking: NR

2025 record: 5-1

Week 8 result: Defeated Miami 24-21

Stat to know: Louisville’s win over Miami was its second over an AP top-2 team in program history.

What’s next: Saturday vs. Boston College, 7:30 p.m., ACC Network

Previous ranking: 10

2025 record: 5-2

Week 8 result: Lost to Vanderbilt 31-24

Stat to know: Garrett Nussmeier has thrown a passing touchdown in 13 straight games, the third-longest active streak among current SEC quarterbacks.

What’s next: Saturday vs. Texas A&M, 7:30 p.m., ABC

Previous ranking: 24

2025 record: 6-1

Week 8 result: Defeated Oklahoma State 49-17

Stat to know: This is Cincinnati’s first 6-1 start to a season since 2022.

What’s next: Saturday vs. Baylor, 4 p.m.

Previous ranking: 21

2025 record: 5-2

Week 8 result: Defeated Kentucky 16-13 (OT)

Stat to know: Texas’s 179 total yards against Kentucky marked its fewest in a win in the past 30 years.

What’s next: Saturday at Mississippi State

Previous ranking: NR

2025 record: 5-2

Week 8 result: Idle

What’s next: Saturday vs. Washington

Previous ranking: NR

2025 record: 5-2

Week 8 result: Defeated Texas Tech 26-22

Stat to know: Arizona State is now 6-1 against AP-ranked opponents since the start of the 2024 season.

What’s next: Saturday vs. Houston, 8:00 p.m., ESPN2

Previous ranking: NR

2025 record: 5-2

Week 8 result: Defeated Washington 24-7

Stat to know: Michigan is on a 28-game home winning streak against AP unranked teams.

What’s next: Saturday vs. Michigan State, 7:30 p.m., NBC

Sports

Sharks apologize for fan’s message on video board

Published

20 mins ago

October 20, 2025

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Sharks apologize for fan's message on video board

Associated Press

Oct 19, 2025, 12:46 AM ET

SAN JOSE, Calif. — The Sharks apologized for a message that was displayed on the video board that appeared to praise Immigration and Customs Enforcement on a night the team celebrated Hispanic heritage.

A message from a fan was shown on the video board during the first intermission of San Jose’s game against Pittsburgh on Saturday night that read, “SJ SHARKS FANS/LOVE ICE !!/GET ‘EM BOYZ !”

The Sharks issued an apology later in the game, saying “an offensively worded message which had been externally submitted was inadvertently displayed on the in-arena scoreboard.”

“Sharks Sports & Entertainment deeply regrets that this message, which does not meet our organization’s values, was not detected during our standard review process,” the statement continued. “The Sharks organization sincerely apologizes for this oversight, and we are actively working to determine the origin of the message.”

The Sharks were holding their ninth annual celebration of Hispanic heritage on what they call “Los Tiburones Night.”

Sports

Knights’ Stone leaves with apparent wrist injury

Published

20 mins ago

October 20, 2025

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Knights' Stone leaves with apparent wrist injury

Associated Press

Oct 19, 2025, 12:49 AM ET

LAS VEGAS — Golden Knights captain Mark Stone suffered an apparent wrist injury in the third period of Vegas’ 6-1 victory over the Calgary Flames on Saturday night.

Coach Bruce Cassidy said he would know about Stone’s status Sunday or Monday.

Stone left the ice about midway through the third period and then headed to the locker room.

He had two goals and two assists before exiting, giving him a six-game point streak with two goals and 11 assists.

When healthy, Stone has been one of the Golden Knights’ top players, but he has had trouble avoiding injuries. His 66 games last season were his most since appearing in 77 games in the 2018-19 season.