Mental Health Matters on the Job

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Recognizing the warning signs and how to respond By: Sidney Hawkins Demand for construction has never been higher. Cranes dot the skyline, crews work long hours and projects stretch years into the future. But behind the hard hats and deadlines is a growing crisis that does not show up in a project schedule, and it’s costing the industry more than it can afford to ignore. Nearly two-thirds of U.S. construction workers reported experiencing anxiety or depression in the last year, up from 54% just a year ago. According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness, construction workers face one of … Read more

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Tackling Burnout in Construction

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How mental strain can increase safety risks in the field By Dan Lester Over the last 30 years, the construction industry has made significant strides in reducing jobsite injuries, which have declined 83% since 1995. Yet as the industry continues striving toward a zero-incident culture, it’s equally critical to prioritize psychological safety alongside physical safety to address a deeper, often hidden mental health crisis — one that affects not only workers’ personal lives, but also jobsite safety and performance. This is especially important given that construction workers experience higher rates of depression, substance misuse and suicide than many other professions. … Read more

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Creating a Culture of Care

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4 tips superintendents can use to foster mental health in the field By Melissa Allen When talking about safety in construction, most people think about hard hats, harnesses and fall protection. But the truth is, the greatest risk facing our industry isn’t always visible. Statistics paint a sobering picture; construction workers are five times more likely to die by suicide than from a work-related injury. One in five adults in the United States live with mental illness and 23% report feelings of depression or anxiety. These aren’t just numbers; they’re coworkers, friends — and sometimes, even ourselves. As someone who … Read more

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4 Tips to Address Mental Health on the Jobsite

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Supporting, prioritizing your crew’s well-being with AI + more By Michael Bertolone Look at any job description for a construction supervisor and you’ll find most the responsibilities revolve around organizational work. A superintendent coordinates all the activities of the site, including managing project costs, schedules, materials, subcontractors, etc. Usually, there’s a line thrown in about managing people. Despite such a small mention, we all know how difficult and impactful good management can be. In today’s industry, effective management has taken on new meaning to include not just the development of job skills and physical safety, but also mental health. As … Read more

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New Data Bulletin Examines Mental Health Trends Among Construction Workers

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Construction workers have the highest overdose death rate and the second highest suicide death rate of any U.S. industry. Those two issues are key elements of the September 2024 edition of CPWR’s Data Bulletin, “Mental Health Trends in the Construction Industry,” which also examines topics such as anxiety, depression, serious psychological distress, seeing a mental health professional and medication use. In 2021, 15.4% of construction workers reported, based on symptoms or medication, having anxiety or depression, and in 2022, there were 17,100 overdose and 5,200 suicide deaths among those usually employed in the construction industry.

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