How to Prioritize Mental Health in Construction and Why You Should

Sometimes, we neglect the importance of mental health in the construction industry. There are many reasons why this is the case, but regardless of them, it’s important for construction business leaders to prioritize the mental health of their employees.

Why is the mental health of construction employees so important, and how do you make it one of your top goals?

The Impact of the Construction Industry

The construction industry has an abnormally high rate of suicide among its employees and contractors. Construction workers are also disproportionately likely to struggle with substance use issues.

Why is this the case? There are several possible explanations, including:

· Hard labor. For starters, the construction industry requires hard labor. This is difficult work, done repetitively, and it can take a toll on your muscles, bones, and overall health. Struggling with strain and chronic pain can cause a host of mental health issues.

· Repetitive tasks. On top of that, construction tends to be repetitive. Nobody likes doing the same task thousands of times, and with enough repetitions, almost anyone can become detached.

· General stress. Construction is also generally stressful. There may be very tight deadlines, a lack of necessary equipment, and dangerous conditions in play.

· Job insecurity. Even if you’re a highly skilled contractor, there may be dry periods in the construction industry. Job insecurity can put construction workers under even more pressure.

· Stigma. In many cases, construction is a thankless job. In fact, there’s even a bit of a social stigma around construction, as people complain about construction projects taking too long without seeing much daily progress.

· Relatively low wages. Construction isn’t typically a high-paying gig. Many people in the construction industry struggle with making ends meet, which adds another layer of stress to the job.

· Minimal mobility. It’s hard to transition from construction to other industries, making some construction workers feel a bit trapped.

· Drug use. As we’ve implied, drug use is especially common in the construction industry, as people try to cope with stress and pain. But realistically, drug use almost always makes things worse.

How to Prioritize Mental Health in Construction

So what can you do to prioritize mental health in the construction industry?

· Make it part of your culture. First, make mental health awareness and support part of your organizational culture. If supporting people with mental health struggles is part of your culture, it’s going to come much more naturally to your leaders and employees. Revisit your core values, appoint good leaders, and include visual reminders about the importance of taking care of your mental health and wellness around the job site.

· Rotate responsibilities. To whatever extent you can, try to rotate responsibilities. Doing the same thing over and over is not only hard on the body; it’s hard on the mind. Getting to do multiple different things can reduce the impact of the hard labor in construction, while simultaneously reducing the risk of injury.

· Cater to individual strengths, weaknesses, and preferences. You can also support mental health by catering to individual strengths, weaknesses, and preferences when possible. When employees have more autonomy, they’re more engaged and satisfied with their work. This approach also allows you to maximize the value of your human resources.

· Actively listen. Listening makes a big difference. Make sure you have leaders who thoughtfully and actively listen to your employees when they talk about their struggles. You also need to be proactive in creating an environment where people feel comfortable opening up with their honest opinions.

· Provide access to resources. Connect people with mental health resources whenever appropriate. That could include advising them of free support groups in the area, helping them find a therapist, or introducing them to a resource that might be able to help with their specific problem.

· Ensure adequate rest and time off. We all need adequate rest and time off, even during busy periods. Make sure all your construction workers have plenty of time between strenuous tasks and occasional days off – as well as periodic vacations where they can truly relax.

· Pay attention to warning signs of burnout. The early signs of burnout aren’t always easy to notice, but if you’re paying attention to your workers, they should be clear enough. When you notice the early signs of burnout begin to set in, pull that worker aside and have an honest conversation with them. Try to figure out a way that you can move forward comfortably.

These strategies can help you better prevent mental health issues and provide more mental health support to your construction employees. As investments, these measures are likely to pay off in terms of healthier, happier, and more productive employees – as well as greater sustainability for the industry as a whole.