In 1985-2014, suicide rates were highest among workers in lumber, wood and furniture; metal fabrication; and mining

Workers in several rural-oriented industries were found to have the highest suicide rates, in what the authors say is the first study of suicide rates by industry using nationally representative data.

The study looked at 1,943 suicides over 29 years, from 1985 to 2014. It found that age-adjusted suicide rates were highest in the furniture, lumber, and wood industry group (29.3 suicides per 100,000 population), the fabricated-metal industry (26.3 per 100,000), and mining (25.8). Railroading had the lowest rate (5.5), then education, banking, hospitals, and entertainment and recreation. 

Lines extending from numbers indicate possible maximum rates, due to
sample size. (Study graph, adapted by The Rural Blog; click to enlarge)

Most workers in the high-ranking industries are men, which may partially explain their rank. "Male-dominated industries often come with intense pressure, competition, and societal expectations that can significantly impact the mental health of individuals working within them," the authors write. "Male-dominated industries often involve high-stress jobs, long working hours, low pay, and limited work-life balance, all of which can contribute to chronic stress and mental-health problems."

The study, published in the Archives of Suicide Research, was conducted by Ahmed Arif and three other researchers at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. They note, "Suicide rates in the working-age U.S. population have increased by over 40% in the last two decades," with the latest annual total 48,000. "Between 1999 and 2017, the age-adjusted suicide rate increased from 10.5 to 14.0 per 100,000 population. Although suicide may be linked with characteristics of workplaces and their industries, few studies have reported industry-level suicide rates."

Why study such rates? "Characteristics of the workplace may affect suicide risk," the authors write. "Researchers have identified job stress, low job satisfaction, bullying and harassment, lack of support and resources, poor management practices, and job insecurity as some of the risk factors for suicide linked with the workplace." Also, "There is evidence that workplace suicide prevention is effective."