Awareness and Support
CONEXPO-CON/AGG joins others in shedding light on mental health in the construction industry with a new comprehensive resource hub
CONEXPO-CON/AGG, North America’s largest construction trade show, is shining a light on mental health issues in the construction industry. Recognizing the unique challenges faced by professionals in the field, the organization has launched a comprehensive resource hub dedicated to mental wellness.
A recent report, Construction Working Minds White Paper 2024, showed that 83% of construction workers have experienced some form of moderate to severe mental health issue. It added that compared to other industries, construction ranked first in pain reliever abuse, marijuana and heroin use, and second in substance use disorders and heavy drinking. The report noted that construction workers are at particularly higher risk when it comes to opioid addiction and overdose deaths.
That follows a 2020 Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report form the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) that found that 40% of U.S. adults reported struggling with mental health or substance abuse and that 11% seriously considered suicide.
The construction industry has one of the highest rates of suicide at 53.3 per 100,000 U.S. workers. That rate is four times greater than the national average and five times greater than all other construction fatalities combined, according to CDC and reported by the Associated General Contractors of America (AGC).
“We cannot stand by while a silent epidemic of suicide takes place within our industry,” said Stephen E. Sandherr, who was the CEO of AGC at the time of the report but has since retired. “We want to reduce the stigma of mental health issues in this industry, let people know it is okay to ask for help and, ultimately, save lives.”
The AGC Mental Health & Suicide Prevention Task Force compiled a wealth of tools and resources, including a series of videos telling the stories of industry professionals who have struggled with mental health. Those are available at https://www.agc.org/mental-health-suicide-prevention.
Know the signs
There are several warning signs for suicide that you should be aware of in yourself and others on the job. A list from the Construction Industry Alliance for Suicide Prevention includes:
- Feeling sad or depressed most of the time
- Talking about feeling trapped or wanting to die
- Extreme mood swings
- Increased use of alcohol or drugs
- Decreased self-confidence
- Feeling hopeless and helpless
- Sleeping too much or too little
- Feeling anxious, agitated or reckless
- Withdrawing from family and friends
- Talking about being a burden to others
Warning signs specific to construction workers include:
- Decreased productivity
- Increased conflict among co-workers
- Near hits, incidents and injuries
- Decreased problem-solving ability
- Increased tardiness and absenteeism
Changing approach
CONEXPO-CON/AGG’s initiative aims to change the industry’s approach to mental health by providing actionable resources, sharing inspiring personal stories, and offering practical advice for both employers and employees. With a focus on creating a supportive community, CONEXPO-CON/AGG is committed to bringing awareness to the mental health struggles prevalent in the construction sector and fostering an environment where seeking help and discussing mental wellness is normalized and encouraged, according to the organization.
“The construction industry is filled with professionals committed to precision in everything they do,” said CONEXPO-CON/AGG Show Director Dana Wuesthoff. “This level of attention and care must also be given to the mental health of all construction professionals. CONEXPO-CON/AGG is committed to breaking down stigmas and creating a future where mental health isn’t an afterthought but the cornerstone of our industry.”
CONEXPO-CON/AGG’s new comprehensive resource hub can be found at https://www.conexpoconagg.com/mental-health. Content includes the award-winning CONEXPO-CON/AGG podcast where Denis Cashman, Co-owner of Stone etc. Ltd., shares his battle with addiction and his journey of recovery. Another episode, featuring Priestly Demolition President Ryan Priestly, tackles managing the stress of construction and how to maintain a work/life balance in an industry that doesn’t always make it easy to sit back and appreciate achievements, the organization noted.
Other resources and articles include Tips for How to Support Your Employees’ Mental Health, How to Reduce Stress in Construction, and 7-Step Guide to Improving Mental Health in Construction.
Editor’s Note: If you are in a mental health crisis, call or text 988 to speak to a crisis counselor now. You can also text HOME to 741741 to reach the Crisis Text Line and speak to a live, trained crisis counselor.
