Episode 209: ‘Saving Lives in Construction’ with Sonya Bohman
In this episode:
Christi Powell and Angela Gardner welcome guest Sonya Bowman, executive director of the Construction Industry Alliance for Suicide Prevention (CIASP), to discuss mental health and suicide prevention in construction, so workers go home safe. Bowman explains CIASP’s roots in a 2015 CFMA article by Cal Beyer and Dr. Sally Spencer Thomas and the decision to form an independent 501(c)(3) in 2018 after CDC reports showed construction and extraction had the highest suicide death rates by occupation. She shares current CDC-based figures of about 1,000 fatal construction injuries versus roughly 5,000 construction-worker suicides, notes a preliminary 2024 decline of about 1.7%, and outlines warning signs as changes in behavior, performance, or life stressors. Bowman suggests immediate actions like planning for Suicide Prevention Month, sharing resources, and adding 988 and 741741 to email signatures, and directs listeners to preventconstructionsuicide.com for tools, training, and the STANDUP pathway.
Supported by: Groundbreak Carolinas
Show Notes and Links:
00:00 Welcome and Mission
00:58 Meet Sonya Bowman
02:35 How CIASP Began
05:52 Construction Suicide Stats
08:26 Hope and Progress
10:14 CIASP Resources Spotlight
11:16 Warning Signs on Site
14:01 Quick Action Steps
17:13 Leadership Lessons
20:26 Connect and Closing
About Sonya:
Sonya Bohmann is the Executive Director for the Construction Industry Alliance for Suicide Prevention, a 501 c (3) that was started in 2018. Our mission is to provide and disseminate information and resources for suicide prevention and mental health promotion in construction with the goal of creating a zero-suicide industry.
Sonya comes from a reconstruction background, having spent over a decade in the commercial remodel and refresh and facilities maintenance space. Giving her a unique understanding of how the industry works, as well as the mental health challenges faced daily by construction workers. This experience has given her insight into how companies, both large and small, are tackling this worker crisis and what work still needs to be done.
Supported by:
