neglecting mental health in construction isolates and harms workers

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The construction industry faces many daily and even hourly challenges, including tight and demanding schedules, strict deadlines, and physically demanding and dangerous work environments. However, beneath the hard hats and safety-toed boots lies a critical issue that is often overlooked: mental health.

Alarm bells should be going off everywhere in the construction industry, as suicide rates among construction workers are among the highest of all professions. This fact highlights serious problems in the industry, such as stigma, isolation, and a lack of adequate support systems and processes. This blog will expose this hidden crisis, discuss its devastating consequences, and outline actionable steps to promote a culture of mental health awareness and support within the industry.

Exposing a Hidden Crisis: The Shocking Facts of Suicide Rates in the Construction Industry

The statistics for suicide rates in construction are disturbing and unacceptable, and action must be taken before another life is lost. Several factors can contribute to poor mental health on a construction site, including long hours, job insecurity, high pressure, unsafe working environments, and a culture that prioritizes toughness over openness. These elements can lead to feelings of isolation and despair.

Here are some key statistics to clarify this staggering problem:

·       According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the suicide rate among male construction workers is 56 per 100,000 workers, which is unacceptable and significantly higher than the national average.[1]

·       The suicide rate in the construction industry is 2.4 times higher than the average across all industries. [2]

·       Among construction trades, iron and steel workers have the highest suicide rate, with 117.89 per 100,000 workers.[3]

·       A study found that 83% of construction workers have experienced a mental health issue, highlighting the widespread nature of this problem.[4]

The Stigma and Fallacy of “Toughness” in Construction

There is a common misconception in the construction industry that falsely equates "toughness" with strength, speed, and the ability to work through physical pain, which also includes mental challenges. Mental pain can include high stress, anxiety, grief, and depression; conditions that often go unnoticed and untreated but can be just as damaging, if not more so, than physical pain.

For too long, the construction industry has held a narrow and inaccurate view of "toughness," valuing workers who act indifferent or stay silent despite suffering, rather than embracing a broader understanding of mental health and treatment options that can foster mental resilience. It's beyond time to redefine what "tough" truly means.

Being “Tough” Often Comes at Too High a Cost

Despite increasing awareness, mental health stigma remains a major obstacle in the construction industry. Many workers fear that speaking out about their mental health might be seen as a sign of weakness or could threaten their job security. Changing this mindset starts with leadership. Organizations should establish wellness programs, offer access to counseling services, and most importantly, encourage open and honest conversations about mental health.

The common understanding on site that “we don’t talk about our personal problems” or “you should just push through the pain” has fostered a dangerous, and sometimes deadly, silence surrounding mental health. For example:

·       Workers will often bottle up emotions, fearing ridicule from peers or job insecurity from supervisors.

·       Workers may avoid seeking help because they feel it is discouraged or seen as a weakness.

·       Support systems, if they exist at all, crumble because pain isn't addressed until it's too late or never.

This type of dysfunctional work culture doesn’t build mental strength and resilience; it breaks it.

The Importance of Developing Mental Resilience

Addressing mental wellbeing and building mental resilience enables crews to handle challenges, recover from setbacks, and stay clear-headed and focused under pressure. By building systems that enable consistent peer support, open communication, and leadership that values openness and respect, teams can create and grow a culture that prioritizes the right focus on worker mental health. When workers feel heard and supported, they are more likely to thrive, not just survive, which in turn strengthens crews, makes job sites safer, and sustains a more resilient workforce.

True mental strength and resilience aren’t about denying pain and hardship; it’s about navigating with available tools and an appropriate level of support.

Creating Change When and Where It Counts

Holistic safety, also known as whole-person safety, is the approach that recognizes workers as more than just physical bodies that do work and must be protected from physical harm. Traditional safety practices and controls, such as personal protective equipment (PPE), hazard analyses, and compliance training, are essential, but they address only part of the picture. Holistic safety encompasses not just the physical well-being of employees, but also their mental, emotional, and psychological health.

Here’s how we can start building emotionally resilient teams on the jobsite:

·       Developing and deploying mental health awareness campaigns to normalize discussions about mental well-being.

·       Ensure employees are trained to recognize signs of mental distress in themselves and others.

·       Encourage leadership to discuss mental health, openly setting an example for employees.

·       Providing Access and encouraging the use of mental health support services.

·       Offer Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs) that provide access to private and confidential counseling and support.

·       Partnering with mental health and other support organizations to facilitate access to resources and treatment options.

·       Ensuring workers are aware of and have access to helplines and crisis intervention services.

·       Encouraging open communication about mental health without fear of judgment or repercussions.

·       Training supervisors to recognize signs of mental distress and provide appropriate support.

·       Implementing peer support programs where workers can discuss their challenges confidentially.

·       Introducing flexible work schedules (as much as possible) to help workers balance job demands with life.

·       Integrating Mental Health into Safety Programs.

·       Having discussions about mental health in safety briefings and toolbox talks.

Summary

It’s time to redefine construction safety by moving beyond reliance on reactive protocols to building environments anchored in trust and mental resilience. Approaching mental health in this way involves adopting a holistic perspective. When workers thrive mentally, they perform better, stay safer, and contribute to a stronger industry for their peers now and for the future. Addressing mental health on the jobsite is just as essential as hard hats and harnesses; it protects people from the inside out.

Resources:

Here are some valuable resources for mental health support in the construction industry:

AGC Mental Health Best Practices Guide: A comprehensive guide on integrating mental health initiatives into construction safety programs.

Construction Safety Week Mental Health Resources: Offers guides, training programs, and crisis support for construction workers.

OSHA Suicide Prevention in Construction: Provides information on workplace stress, suicide prevention, and crisis intervention.

 
Footnotes:

[1] Suicide Rates by Industry and Occupation — National Vital Statistics System, United States, 2021 | MMWR

[2] KF2024-Suicide_Among_Construction_Workers.pdf

[3] KF2024-Suicide_Among_Construction_Workers.pdf

[4] nationalacademies.org/news/2024/05/suicide-and-mental-health-challenges-in-the-construction-industry