People in Particular Occupations
Studies suggest that suicide rates may differ by occupation. A recent meta-analysis found that suicide rates were highest among people in occupations requiring low-level skills, such as laborers, cleaners, factory workers, machine operators, and fishery workers.1 The lowest suicide rates were found among high skill level managers and clerical workers. Other occupations that have also been linked to an elevated risk of suicide include health care providers, veterinarians, farmers, and the police.1
Workplaces can support mental health and contribute to suicide prevention by adopting a range of strategies. These include:
- Increasing awareness of mental health and substance use disorders
- Encouraging help seeking
- Making it easier for workers to access behavioral health care
Reference
- Milner, A., Spittal, M. J., Pirkis, J., & LaMontagne, A. D. (2013). Suicide by occupation: Systematic review and meta-analysis. British Journal of Psychiatry, 203(6), 409-416.
Learn More
- See the Recommended Resources below selected by SPRC personnel.
- For resources that address all or most workplaces, see our page on Workplaces.
- See All Resources Related to People in Particular Occupations (below) for a full list of materials, programs, trainings, and other information available from SPRC. Use the filters on the left to narrow your results.
- For more on other groups and settings, see our Populations and Settings pages.
Recommended Resources
Occupations and Suicide Risk
A meta-analysis of 34 studies found that people in occupations requiring a lower level of skill are more at risk of sui...
A construction industry blueprint: Suicide prevention in the workplace
The construction industry is among occupations at highest risk for suicide. This guide provides information for constru...
Breaking the silence: Suicide prevention in law enforcement
The report was generated through the National Symposium on Law Enforcement Officer Suicide and Mental Health: Breaking ...
Firefighters coping with the aftermath of suicide
This video explores the effect of suicide on firefighters and first responders.
...
All Resources Related to People in Particular Occupations
Displaying 92 results. Refine results using the filters on the left.
Fact Sheet/Issue Brief
Barriers and Opportunities for Suicide Prevention Among Correctional Officers: An Issue Brief for Clinicians
2024
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NEWS/HIGHLIGHT
“It Allows Doctors to Be Human Beings”: Mass. Hospitals Will Stop Asking Clinicians About Past Mental Health and Addiction
2024
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NEWS/HIGHLIGHT
Pilots Say They're Afraid to Seek Mental Health Care. The FAA Says It's Listening
2024
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NEWS/HIGHLIGHT
New CDC Campaign Asks Health Care Leaders to Take Responsibility for Reducing Burnout
2023
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NEWS/HIGHLIGHT
MASSACHUSETTS: Program at William James College Tries to Reduce Veteran Suicide by Focusing on Relationship to Guns
2023
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Webinar/Training
2010 Garrett Lee Smith State and Tribal Suicide Prevention Grantee Meeting
2023
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NEWS/HIGHLIGHT
INTERNATIONAL: Health Workers’ Mental Health: Addressing the Invisible Global Pandemic
2022
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NEWS/HIGHLIGHT
CALIFORNIA: Removing Cops from Behavioral Crisis Calls: “We Need to Change the Model”
2020
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NEWS/HIGHLIGHT
PENNSYLVANIA: These Philly Programs Are Connecting Restaurant Workers to Mental Health Resources
2020
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NEWS/HIGHLIGHT
INTERNATIONAL: Suicide Risk and Prevention during the COVID-19 Pandemic
2020
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NEWS/HIGHLIGHT
For Grocery Workers, the Need for Mental Health Care May Outlast Coronavirus Pandemic
2020
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NEWS/HIGHLIGHT
I'm Worried about the Psychological Toll on Health Care Workers. They Need Help.
2020
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NEWS/HIGHLIGHT
Law Students Say They Don't Get Mental Health Treatment for Fear It Will Keep Them from Becoming Lawyers. Some States Are Trying to Change That.
2020
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NEWS/HIGHLIGHT
U.S. Suicide Rate Rises 40% over 17 Years, with Blue-Collar Workers at Highest Risk, CDC Finds
2020
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NEWS/HIGHLIGHT
COLORADO: A Construction Company Embraces Frank Talk about Mental Health to Reduce Suicide
2020
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NEWS/HIGHLIGHT
NEW YORK: As NYPD Suicides Rise, City to Provide Officers Free Mental Health Care
2019
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NEWS/HIGHLIGHT
NEW JERSEY: New Jersey Launches Nation's First State Program to Prevent Police Officer Suicide
2019
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NEWS/HIGHLIGHT
CALIFORNIA: Ventura County Bartenders Asked to Serve the Question, “Are You Going to Kill Yourself?”
2019
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NEWS/HIGHLIGHT
Why Suicide Is a Top Cause of Death for Police Officers and Firefighters
2019
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NEWS/HIGHLIGHT
MICHIGAN: Michigan Prison Agency Wants to Reduce Stress, Suicide among Corrections Officers
2019
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NEWS/HIGHLIGHT
CALIFORNIA: California Chef Aims to Help Restaurant Workers Prevent Suicide
2019
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NEWS/HIGHLIGHT
WASHINGTON: Suicide Awareness Training for Washington Lawyers and Their Clients
2019
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NEWS/HIGHLIGHT
Suicide among Emergency Medical Technicians Compared to the General Public
2018
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NEWS/HIGHLIGHT
These Jobs Have Highest Suicide Rates in the United States, According to the CDC
2018
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NEWS/HIGHLIGHT
CANADA: OPP Announces Review, Enhancement to Mental Health Strategy Following Member Suicides
2018
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NEWS/HIGHLIGHT
SCOTLAND: Pharmacists to Receive “Mandatory” Suicide Prevention Training
2018
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Manual
College counseling from a distance: Deciding whether and when to engage in telemental health services
2018
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NEWS/HIGHLIGHT
UTAH: The Role Faith Leaders Can Play in Preventing and Responding to Suicide
2018
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NEWS/HIGHLIGHT
More Officers and Firefighters Died of Suicide than Line-of-Duty Deaths in 2017
2018
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NEWS/HIGHLIGHT
National Data Shows Firefighters’ Mental, Emotional Health Not Getting Enough Attention
2018
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NEWS/HIGHLIGHT
More Religious Leaders Challenge Silence, Isolation Surrounding Suicide
2018
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NEWS/HIGHLIGHT
CALIFORNIA: The Unexpected Role Librarians Are Playing in Sacramento’s Homeless Crisis
2018
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NEWS/HIGHLIGHT
VERMONT: Dairy Co-op Sends Farmers Suicide Hotline Numbers after Milk Prices Plummet
2018
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NEWS/HIGHLIGHT
TENNESSEE: Highway Patrol Trains Full Force in Suicide Prevention Techniques
2018
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NEWS/HIGHLIGHT
Functional Impairment among Telephone Crisis Support Workers: Impact on Callers
2018
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NEWS/HIGHLIGHT
Tackling the Stigma: Copline Hotline Helps Officers Struggling with Mental Health
2018
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NEWS/HIGHLIGHT
ILLINOIS: Metra Safety Official Talks Suicide Prevention at McHenry County Mental Health Conference
2017
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Article/Chapter
Building a partnership for research with juvenile justice-involved youth
2017
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NEWS/HIGHLIGHT
Suicides Prompt Medical Schools to Finally Address Student Mental Health
2017
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NEWS/HIGHLIGHT
MICHIGAN: Medical Students Raise Awareness for High Physician Suicide Rates
2017
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NEWS/HIGHLIGHT
Railroads Institute More Measures to Help Prevent Suicides on Their Systems
2017
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NEWS/HIGHLIGHT
UNITED KINGDOM: UK Construction Industry Launches Suicide Awareness Initiative
2017
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Article/Chapter
Training healthcare providers and social workers in suicide prevention: A tale of three universities
2016
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NEWS/HIGHLIGHT
MASSACHUSETTS: Boston Municipal Workers to Be Trained in Suicide Prevention
2016
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NEWS/HIGHLIGHT
A new national partnership to reduce number of construction industry suicides
2016
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NEWS/HIGHLIGHT
CANADA: Calgary Police Service mental health program drawing international attention
2015
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Guidelines/Recommendations
A construction industry blueprint: Suicide prevention in the workplace
2015
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