Prioritizing Mental Health in the Construction Industry

Are you in a crisis? Call or text 988 or text TALK to 741741. 

Construction workers are familiar with hazardous conditions on job sites. OSHA guidelines, daily safety meetings and proper use of personal protective equipment help to keep workers safer.   

But physical hazards like heights and heavy machinery aren’t the only things that pose risks to craft professionals.  

According to the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP), construction has one of the highest suicide rates of any industry. More than 6,000 construction workers die by suicide per year—more than 12 percent of all suicide deaths in the United States. 

This mental health crisis demands the same attention, planning and prevention strategies we devote to jobsite safety. Building resilience means prioritizing not only physical protection but also mental health at work. 

Unique Suicide Risk Factors in Construction 

Suicides usually result from a combination of risk factors and stressors across different areas of an individual’s life. While work can be an area of stress for people in many professional fields, particular aspects of both the physical and cultural environment of the construction industry can intensify these vulnerabilities.  

Some of the risk factors in construction include: 
 

• A culture of toughness, where individuals may fear being seen as weak if they seek help. 

• Chronic pain due to repetitive physical strain and workplace injuries. 

• Abuse of substances such as alcohol and opioids, sometimes originating from pain treatment. 

• Intense work schedules due to project deadlines and workforce shortages. 

• Travel projects that can take workers away from their families for extended periods. 

• Project-based employment, which can cause cycles of unemployment and instability.
   

While most of these risk factors are not necessarily exclusive to the world of construction, the combination of them together can contribute to elevated risk for the workforce of this industry.  

Building a Heathier Industry 

Taking proactive safety measures is key to reducing physical hazards on construction project sites. This is the same case for mental health.  

By implementing mental health-forward principles into a construction business or project, contractors can make a positive impact toward suicide prevention. Some key actionable steps may include: 

• Foster a culture of belonging, teamwork and respect. 

• Educate supervisors and crews to help them understand the various risk factors and how to recognize warning signs within their teams. 

• Encouraging support systems like peer check-ins, mentorship and open-door policies. 

• Provide access to mental health tools like Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs), counseling or wellness resources.

Resources include the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline (call or text 988) and the Crisis Text Line (text TALK to 741741). Consider also adding mental health resources into your safety manuals, jobsite postings and toolbox talks. 

Changing the Culture of Construction 

We cannot ignore the mental health crisis in construction. Suicide prevention is every bit as important as preventing other kinds of lethal workplace accidents. Just like construction safety initiatives work to reduce falls, struck-by, caught-in/between and electrocutions, similar initiatives are needed to prevent deaths by suicide.  

To accomplish this, the construction industry requires a cultural shift. Suicide prevention is a collective effort that requires awareness, empathy and support from every level of the construction workforce. By understanding risk factors, watching for warning signs, starting difficult conversations, and providing access to mental health resources, contractors can create a safer industry and save lives. 

Are you in a crisis? Call or text 988 or text TALK to 741741.