Mental illness is just as dangerous to a construction worker as silica exposure, or slips, trips & fall hazards.
In 2022, the construction industry ranked second highest in the U.S. for worker suicide rates, with 45.3 incidents per 100,000 workers. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), construction is one of multiple major industry groups with a suicide rate that is higher than in the total civilian noninstitutionalized working population.
According to the National Institute of Mental Health, the suicide rate among males was 4 times higher (22.8 per 100,000) than among females (5.7 per 100,000) in 2021. Per the Bureau of Labor Statistics, 97% of the U.S. construction workforce is male.
Also, per the Bureau, about two-thirds of those employed in the construction industry were 25-to-54 years old. According to the CDC, there were more suicides in the 25–44-year-old age demographic than any other age group in both 2021 and 2022.
“We have to keep reminding everyone that mental health issues in the industry are really common,” Alberici Constructors Safety Director, Kathi Dobson, recently told Construction Dive. “The proportion of individuals impacted because of factors outside of the job site, incidents on the job site, elements of the job site, etc. compounded by substance abuse is significant.”
Numerous non-profits and other organizations are joining construction companies in pouring resources into addressing the industry’s mental health crisis.
Construction Safety Week (CSW) aims to connect workers and their employers with the resources they need to discuss and address mental health awareness in their organizations. This annual safety initiative returns May 6-10, 2024, and will see sponsor companies such as GPRS sending their safety experts across the country to hold free presentations about a variety of safety-related topics, including mental health awareness.
“Given the high-stress nature of the construction industry, characterized by tight deadlines and long hours, the surge in mental health concerns is undeniable,” said Jason Schaff, GPRS’ Senior Vice President of Marketing & SiteMap® Product Executive. “It’s great to witness CSW and GPRS actively promoting awareness around this critical issue.”
The first thing to remember if you or someone you know needs help with a mental illness issue is that you are not alone. There’s no need to be afraid of reaching out, and you can start by connecting with someone you trust for advice, such as a friend, family member, coworker, or faith leader.
Below you will find a list of resources you can turn to in the event of a mental health emergency:
Crisis Resources
- National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-8255 (Press 2 for Spanish)
- Crisis Text Line: Text HOME to 741741 (to connect with a Crisis Counselor)
- Veterans Crisis Line (call, chat, or text) 1-800-273-8255, Press 1 or https://www.veteranscrisisline.net/
- Crisis Service Canada: 1833-456-4566
Additional Support Resources
- NAMI Help Line
- Call: 1-800-950-6264
- Text NAMI to 741-741
- NAMI Connection Recovery Support Groups
- NAMI Support Groups (for individuals or family members)
- Substance Abuse & Mental Health Services Administration
There are also some common warning signs you can be on the lookout for, both in yourself and others, that may indicate it’s time to seek assistance. These include:
- Excessive worrying or fear
- Feeling excessively sad or low
- Confused thinking or problems concentrating and learning
- Prolonged feelings of irritability or anger
- Avoiding friends and social activities
- Difficulties understanding or relating to other people
- Changes in sleeping or eating habits
- Extreme mood changes
- Difficulty perceiving reality (delusions or hallucinations)
- Inability to perceive changes in one’s own feelings, behavior, or personality
- Multiple physical ailments without obvious causes (such as headaches, stomach aches, vague and ongoing “aches and pains”)
- Overuse of substances like alcohol or drugs
- Thinking about suicide
In a recent article on Construction Dive, CSW organizers urged leaders in the construction industry to prioritize creating a safe space and a culture of trust and leading by example by prioritizing their own mental health.
“Everyone’s mental health is highly unique to themselves with no singular journey,” author and Flourish Psychotherapy founder & CEO, Laurie Sharp-Page, told the publication. “People cope in different ways. It’s important for organizations to have space for every individual. You can’t force someone to take care of mental health. You can help support them.”
Click here to download CSW’s free mental health wellness field guide.
GPRS safety team members are currently scheduling free CSW safety talks. Click below to schedule your team’s talk, today!