When people think of the construction industry, they often think about the physically demanding aspects of the job. From transporting heavy equipment to drilling for hours on end, the work that construction workers do can really take a toll on their bodies.
However, have you ever thought beyond the physical demands of construction and considered the emotional and mental strain that these workers may be experiencing? Likely not. Here, we will explore the correlation between mental health and the construction industry, as we look at some important statistics, contributing factors, and warning signs.
Table of Contents
A Male-Dominated Industry
One important factor that plays into the prominence of mental health issues within the construction industry is that it has been a historically male-dominated industry. While it may not be readily apparent why this matters, the role of gender is actually quite significant.
Generally speaking, men have always been taught to suppress their emotions, act tough, and suck it up. While this expectation is very slowly beginning to change, men still have a great weight on their shoulders to “man up.” As a result of these societal expectations, men are far less likely to seek out help or emotional support if they are not in a good mental headspace.
The Prominence of Suicide and Drug/Alcohol Use
According to a study conducted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the construction industry had the second highest rate of suicide among males at 43.6 per 100,000 workers.
Additionally, several studies have shown that construction workers disproportionately participate in risk behaviors and are more likely to abuse alcohol and drugs, including opioids and cocaine. In fact, one study showed that the rate of substance abuse amongst construction workers is close to double the national average.
Unfortunately, it is not surprising to see the prominence of suicide, alcohol, and drug usage because they are all forms of self-treatment and coping mechanisms. While they are very poor and extreme choices of self-help, these alternatives are unfortunately the reality for a great number of construction workers.
Other Contributing Factors
In addition to the fact that the construction industry is very male-dominated, there are a few other factors that contribute to mental health issues in the construction industry. These factors include, but are not limited to:
- Long working hours: It is not uncommon for construction workers to be working on job sites for 10-12 hours each day, and oftentimes in the very late night, early morning hours. This can make it difficult for construction workers to get adequate sleep, take care of their bodies, and spend quality time with family.
- Seasonal layoffs: Oftentimes, construction is seasonal, meaning that construction workers may be out of their job for parts of the year. This can place immense financial stress on an individual, causing subsequent mental health issues.
- Labor intensive: The nature of the construction industry is very intense and labor intensive. This, of course, leads to great amounts of pressure to perform and great amounts of chronic pain. When a construction worker is dealing with all of these stressors, it also increases the likelihood that an injury will occur, as they may be less attentive, tired, and more inclined to skip corners. It is crucial that any individual who is injured on a construction site speak with a Los Angeles workplace injury attorney to help recover the compensation they may be entitled to.
Warning Signs
Now that you are familiar with the prominence and various causes of mental health issues within the construction industry, let’s explore some potential warning signs that may indicate a construction worker is experiencing challenges with their mental and emotional well-being:
- Mood swings
- Decreased productivity
- Dependency or excessive use of alcohol or drugs
- Near misses or injuries
- Engagement in risky behaviors
- Showing up to work late
- Increased conflict with peers
Construction team managers and employees alike have a responsibility to speak up and say something if they have recognized any noticeable signs that a colleague’s mental health may be on the decline.
