Why We Need Mental Health Awareness in Construction

You cannot talk about worker wellbeing, dignity and safety without talking about worker mental health – especially in an industry facing such serious challenges. Mental Health Awareness Month, observed annually in May across the United States and Canada, is an opportunity to highlight the scope of these challenges, draw attention to available resources, and encourage BAC members and their loved ones to seek support when needed.  

Workers in construction have significantly higher rates of death by suicide and overdose fatalities compared to workers in other professions. While there is no single cause, research suggests that underlying mental health conditions can increase the risk of suicide and overdose deaths.  

Why do construction workers face higher risk to begin with? Possible factors include demanding roles and other high-stress components of project-based work, as well as a pervasive stigma that leads workers and other stakeholders to view emotional challenges as a sign of weakness. This stigma also prevents workers from reaching out for help when needed.  

We must be clear: mental health conditions are legitimate medical concerns; they do not indicate personality defects or failure. No worker should feel ashamed of needing support. We must stop the stigma if we want to protect our members and ensure that they thrive on and off the jobsite. 

Many workers dismiss or minimize their own struggles, and even carry burnout as a badge of honor, toughness or success. However, ignoring signs of distress almost always worsens problems rather than resolves them. If you have been suffering silently, perhaps for far too long, consider the growing number of resources available to help.  

In honor of Mental Health Awareness Month and a broader effort to enhance worker wellbeing, BAC strongly encourages you to reach out to the Member Assistance Program (MAP) by calling 1-833-MAP-TALK (1-833-627-8255), M-F, 8am-7pm ET, to speak to a MAP counselor who specializes in recognizing the unique challenges faced by workers in construction and in offering direction, care and support. Crisis intervention is available 24/7 in the United States and Canada by calling or texting 988.  

Please visit https://bacbenefits.org/map/map-now for additional information and resources, as well as to learn more about BAC and construction-industry sponsored programming during Mental Health Awareness Month.