The importance of discussing mental health in the construction industry…

September is Suicide Prevention Month and there is no denying that the health and safety of construction workers are the upmost priority of construction firms. However, it’s important to distinguish that maintaining the safety of these workers extends beyond just physical health as it also encompasses mental health.

According to the Construction Industry Alliance for Suicide Prevention (CIASP), 1 in 4 or 5 adults are currently experiencing a mental health condition such as depression or anxiety. Furthermore, construction workers tend to have the highest suicide rate of any other occupation.

Working in construction can be grueling, with working long, demanding hours, being away from family members on jobsites, and the uncertainty of finding work, there are a few reasons why the construction industry can be hard to work in at times.

However, that means it is more important than ever to erase the sigma of talking about mental health in the construction industry because frankly it is a topic that should be talked about often. There are numerous signs to be on the lookout for in someone who may be experiencing depression or anxiety such as misusing drugs or alcohol, repeated tardiness or absence from work, near miss safety incidents on jobsites, decreased productivity, and more.

It is important that we all look out for one another in the construction field not only in our offices but our jobsites as well. Everyone should be able to get the help they need if they are experiencing mental health woes.

As CIASP says, “safety starts with what’s under the hardhat.”

To learn more, head over to CIASP to uncover more resources as well as understand ways on how you can help your fellow coworkers and break the stigma of discussing mental health in the workplace.