Constructing Healthier Minds for Construction Workers

HST 401-A

Alex Stapkowitz

2/26/25

Constructing Healthier Minds for Construction Workers

When we think about some of the dangers or hazards in the construction industry, some of the first things that probably come to mind are physical safety concerns such as working at heights, hazardous material exposure, working alongside moving objects, or electrocution. All of these are extremely important, but what about the dangers in the construction industry that we can’t necessarily see or easily identify?

            One of the most concerning dangers facing construction workers today is mental health. According to the Construction Industry Rehabilitation Plan (CIRP), a survey conducted in 2020 indicated that 83% of construction workers were experiencing mental health issues.1 Of these issues, anxiety and depression have made up a notable portion of mental health conditions experienced by construction workers, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. As seen in Figure 1, 42.9% of a survey group including 408 construction workers felt more anxious or depressed in 2020 compared to 2019.

Figure 1: Percentage of Construction Workers Indicating More Anxiety / Depression in 2020 over 2019

While mental health conditions seen among construction workers can range in magnitude and type from anxiety to depression to post-traumatic stress disorder, one of the most serious consequences of poor mental health is suicide. Based on a 2020 report from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), the construction industry had the second highest suicide rate out of all major industries in the United States (45.3 per 100,000 workers aged 16-64).2 For reference, the average suicide rate for all industries in 2020 was 27.4 per 100,000 workers aged 16-64.2

As far as how the number of suicides stacks up against the number of work-related injuries in construction, an estimated 6000 construction workers died by suicide in 2022 compared to about 1000 that died from work-related injuries in the same year.3 Considering that nearly six times more workers died from suicide, untreated mental health issues are the “silent killers” of construction workers. So what’s causing all of these mental health issues?

When it comes to construction, many workers are expected to put in long hours, meet strict project deadlines, and maintain productivity in a high-stress environment. Frequent exposure to these expectations (especially all at once) can cause issues such as chronic pain and sleep deprivation, which can later contribute to the development of mental health issues. Additionally, being separated from family members for extended periods of time and dealing with instability from labor or material shortages contributes to the emotional strain that the construction industry can put on workers. Not to mention, construction trades such as roofers, masons, and ironworkers spend substantial time outdoors sometimes dealing with extreme temperatures. This puts more physical strain on their bodies and can potentially contribute to seasonal depression that some may experience.

Many mental health issues may be accelerated by substance abuse, as the usage of marijuana, cocaine, and non-prescription opioids has been found to be higher among construction workers compared to the general population.4 Based on the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Administration’s data, about 15% of American construction workers have a substance abuse disorder compared to only 8.6% for the general adult population.5 In cases where workers might feel increasingly stressed, such as being in the early stages of developing anxiety, they may turn to drugs or excessive alcohol consumption to try to mitigate their pain. However, doing this only leads to the escalation of an unhealthy and costly addiction, mood swings, long-term performance decline, and an increased chance of getting injured compared to being sober.

Although the construction industry continues to be dominated by males, this doesn’t mean that we should ignore the mental health of females. Females may feel a sense of isolation being the minority in male-dominated environments and can also struggle with balancing work and home life, especially when trying to raise kids. According to the National Academies of Science, Engineering, and Medicine, “They [women] are subject to a gender stereotype that not only affects their self-esteem, but also means that they are often subject to verbal and/or sexual harassment, unequal remuneration, and/or limited prospects for career advancement”.1 Being in such fast-paced and harsh environments is not easy for anyone, including women. So what can be done to mitigate the mental health crisis in the construction industry?

            Having worked on several construction sites myself, one successful way of bringing awareness to mental health is through toolbox talks. Toolbox talks are organized group discussions administered by management or foremen that focus on conveying site-specific safety and health tips to trade workers. Reflecting upon my experience as a project management intern for a construction company, I’d often select a weekly toolbox talk theme to share with the trade workers that aligned with the behavior I was observing from them. For example, as pressure mounted from material delivery delays and some of the workers started becoming visibly stressed out, I conducted a toolbox talk centered around mental health and stress management. Doing this gave the workers an opportunity to openly express their concerns and talk through some of their stress with others, which eased some of the growing tension throughout the project.

            In addition to toolbox talks, mitigating mental health issues in the construction industry can be done by making help more accessible. For example, workers will find posters directly conveying the National Suicide Prevention Hotline or Crisis Text Line on many large jobsites. With more construction management professionals receiving extensive safety and mental health training today, the construction industry is becoming better equipped to handle mental health challenges. Many construction management professionals have been trained to pick up on early signs of mental health issues, whether it be decreased productivity, substance abuse, or increased conflicts with other team members.

            Many large and highly influential construction companies are committed to investing money into mental health resources. According to NBC News, “construction firm Bechtel said earlier this year that it would spend $7 million toward an effort with the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention to reach 500,000 construction workers with industry-specific mental health programs”.6 Some of these programs are likely to be geared towards inclusivity and addressing the mental health needs of women or those facing discrimination. By providing workers with mental health training or useful resources, construction companies are dedicated to strengthening support networks on-site.

            One of the greatest challenges with improving mental health in the construction industry has been overcoming the stigma of ignoring mental health. For many years, workers have left their mental health issues untreated as a result of trying to be the “tough guy” or being pushed to “just deal with it”. This mentality still exists today, although younger generations coming into the construction industry are more receptive towards mental health and promoting a better work-life balance.7 Since some workers may not feel comfortable bringing up their mental health as a result of this stigma, setting strong safety and health expectations from day one on construction sites can make workers more comfortable with the environment (knowing that their boss cares about their safety and health). From my own experience, all new workers on-site would watch a safety video on their first day as a part of the orientation process. The video reinforced the importance of safety and mental health, while conveying the idea of speaking up for yourself and others if you see someone going through a mental health problem.

            Although safety is one of the key focus areas in the construction industry, we must not overlook mental health issues. Whether it be anxiety, depression, PTSD, or other illnesses, untreated mental health issues can reduce productivity, trigger substance abuse, and even result in suicide. Continuing to administer toolbox talks and training, as well as expanding access to mental health resources is critical to overcoming the stigma regarding mental health and working towards a safer future. Looking forward, strengthening mental health resources will be able to save lives and create a workforce that is more resilient and sustainable for all workers.


References

1. Kermanshachi, Sharareh, and Apurva Pamidimukkala. “Suicide and Mental Health Challenges in the Construction Industry.” Nationalacademies.Org, 30 May 2024, www.nationalacademies.org/news/2024/05/suicide-and-mental-health-challenges-in-the-construction-industry.

2. Peterson, Cora. “National Violent Death Reporting System, 32 States, 2020.” Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, 2020, www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/69/wr/pdfs/mm6903a1-H.pdf.

3. Husain, Lamia. “Construction Suicide Prevention Week (Saving Lives on the Job).” OSHA Outreach Courses, 1 Jan. 2025, www.oshaoutreachcourses.com/blog/construction-suicide-prevention/#:~:text=Beyond%20that%2C%20according%20to%20NBC,in%20a%20job%20site%20accident.

4. Schofield, K.E., et al. “Construction Trade and Extraction Workers: A Population at High Risk for Drug Use in the United States, 2005–2014.” Drug and Alcohol Dependence, Elsevier, 30 Oct. 2019, www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S037687161930417X.

5. Kaliszewski, Michael. “Construction Workers & Addiction: Statistics, Recovery & Treatment.” Resources for Addiction Rehabilitation & Recovery, 2024, americanaddictioncenters.org/workforce-addiction/blue-collar/construction-workers.

6. Pettypiece, Shannon. “Construction Workers Are Dying by Suicide at an Alarming Rate.” NBCNews.Com, NBCUniversal News Group, 24 June 2024, www.nbcnews.com/politics/economics/construction-workers-are-dying-suicide-alarming-rate-rcna156587.

7. Brown, Samantha. “Data Bulletin January.” Center for Construction Research and Training, 2022, www.cpwr.com/wp-content/uploads/DataBulletin-January2022.pdf.

 


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