Call or text 988 — Canada's Suicide Crisis Helpline. Free, confidential, 24/7. In an emergency, call 911.
The danger isn't only on the scaffold.
The trades are hard on the body and the mind. The numbers are stark — and they're the reason this page exists. If any of it sounds like you or someone on your crew, reach out. Help works, and it's confidential.
deaths from suicide + drug poisoning in Ontario construction (2016–2023) — about 8× the 170 traumatic workplace fatalities in the same period.
of 13 industry groups for suicide deaths, drug-related deaths, and drug-related hospital visits.
more likely a construction worker dies from substance use than the overall labour force (ON + AB).
Where to get help
988 Suicide Crisis Helpline ↗
Call or text 988, anywhere in Canada. Free, confidential, 24/7.
Call or text 988Tailgate Toolkit ↗
Free mental-health and harm-reduction support built for construction and trades crews — toolbox talks, supervisor training, and regional resource guides.
Visit the Tailgate ToolkitEAP / member assistance programs
Most employers and building-trades locals offer free, confidential counselling. Ask your local or your HR.
In an emergency
If someone is in danger or overdosing, call 911. Give naloxone if it's available.
Run a crew?
Watch for the signs — pulling away, drinking or using more, talking down about themselves, giving things away. You don't need to be a counsellor. Ask directly, listen, and point them to 988 or your local's assistance program. A two-minute conversation on the tailgate can save a life.
Figures: Ontario construction, 2016–2023. Sources: Institute for Work & Health (Dr. Nancy Carnide, U of T Dalla Lana); Ontario Construction Industry Prevention Roundtable (2025). This page is informational and help-first — it is not medical advice.