Mental health partnerships expand to combat suicide in Wisconsin and construction industry

The Wisconsin Department of Health Services has announced new and expanded partnerships to combat suicide. The state is extending its collaboration with the Aspirus health system and forming a new alliance with CALM America (Counseling on Access to Lethal Means). These initiatives aim to train healthcare workers and mental health professionals in methods such as ‘Question, Persuade, and Refer’ to identify individuals at risk of self-harm.

Efforts in Wisconsin also address the impact of firearm access on suicide rates. In Milwaukee County, firearms were involved in more than half of recorded suicides in 2025. To mitigate this, the state is promoting safe storage and temporary off-site storage options through projects like the Wisconsin Gun Shop Project.

In the construction sector, the Construction Industry Alliance for Suicide Prevention and Safety and the Safety and Health organization have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to coordinate mental health education. This collaboration follows data indicating that construction workers are approximately five times more likely to die by suicide than from workplace injuries, with a suicide rate four times higher than the general population.