A recent webinar from CPWR—The Center for Construction Research and Training shared that from 2018 to 2024, reported anxiety among construction workers grew from 12.6% to 18.4% and depression increased from 7.7% to 8%, according to Construction Dive.
Additionally, the share of workers who said they needed mental health care but could not afford it rose from 2% to 5.6%.
In 2023, there were about 5,000 construction worker deaths by suicide and nearly 16,000 overdoses.
The webinar discussed the effects of suicide and overdoses on job sites and the need for workplace interventions. CPWR urged contractors to use tools such as mental health training, opioid awareness programs and alternative pain-management guides, as well as to normalize conversations about mental health.
The webinar especially highlighted that workplace culture can change when workers are willing to help peers and talk to each other about mental health issues.
“The more you encourage [construction workers] to engage with their co-workers and be a friend and be the helper, then I think that breaks down some barriers,” said Amber Trueblood, CPWR’s data center director. “The more they talk amongst themselves about it, and the more they try to help their co-workers, the more likely they will be down the road to seek help if they need it.”
CPWR also co-branded industry guidelines regarding suicide prevention language and offers downloadable infographics for workers and employers. Learn more.
Be sure to also visit NRCA’s Mental Health webpage and register for NRCA’s Sept. 25 online course, Mental Health First Aid for Roofing.
