Conversations about safety in the construction industry are often centered on the best practices for safe equipment usage, slip and fall prevention, hazardous chemicals and the like. But there’s one critical safety element that the construction industry often overlooks – mental health. Anxiety, depression, substance use and suicide are widespread struggles that have long been a quiet epidemic in the industry.
A study by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found that construction workers are at the highest risk for suicide among the nation’s industries. But there is a silver lining. As mental health struggles become less stigmatized and we continue to learn more about how these issues impact our industry, construction leaders have an opportunity to take action.