Chronic Stress Can Kill Construction Workers

Construction companies need to do more to address chronic stress and mental health issues among their workers because there still are too many suicides in the industry, according to one professional who provided many proven supports and advice during a recent webinar.

Erin Craw, account director at Youturn Health, which provides virtual support for persons struggling with stress and suicidal ideation, said research shows that:

“We are not seeing the progress, we might want to” in construction, Craw said during a recent Associated General Contractors webinar. “We are not seeing the suicide numbers decrease; we are seeing the numbers increase.”

Construction workers are prone to mental health issues, Craw said, because of:

Craw said many construction organizations “do not have an emphasis on healthy (work-life) balance” so stress builds in workers.

“In an industry where hard work and being tough are valued, (companies) have to think about the messaging,” she added.There are other factors that create mental health challenges among construction workers, Craw said, including financial problems, substance use, a history of violence, adverse childhood experiences, isolation, relationship conflicts, limited or lack of access to resources, and perceptions about their organization’s support

Stress at home and work that keeps “piling on and piling on” leads to chronic stress, she said, adding, “When it’s chronic, our body cannot handle it.”

Signs of chronic stress include difficulty sleeping and concentrating, withdrawal from one’s social network, headaches, stomach issues and other physical ailments, exhaustion, irritability, frustration and lack of emotion.

Unaddressed chronic stress puts people at heightened risk of many health issues, Craw told webinar attendees, including an impaired immune system, Alzheimer’s and cardiovascular disease, gastrointestinal issues, hypertension, diabetes, addiction, rumination, social isolation, anxiety and depression.

Stress can lead to all kinds of problems in the workplace, Craw added, including lost productivity; mistakes; lack of focus, dedication and comradery; and retention issues.

She said construction companies need to recognize their workers’ diverse mental health needs and conduct assessments when possible. Employers also should offer more than one wellness resource to their staff.

Employer Support is Critical

Construction company managers can help ease workers’ stress and mental health challenges, Craw said, by:

Nevertheless, there are reasons why construction workers don’t seek support even when resources are available and managers are supportive, she said. They may be concerned about the stigma surrounding mental health issues, fear being judged or believe there will be negative consequences for getting treatment. They also may not understand how the company can help or how to access care.

Managers should know what resources the company offers, and the steps needed to access them, Craw said. Plus, they should tell workers it’s OK to seek support. An example: “I want to remind you of the peer coaching services that are available. I just connected with a coach last week because I was feeling overwhelmed and stressed due to the upcoming deadline and family issues.”

Finally, managers and the company should consistently tell staff about these resources in a variety of ways such as through toolbox talks, emails, flyers and stickers.

When supervisors have conversations with employees about their mental health, they should:

But sometimes the best resources are coworkers. “It’s just nice to have relationships at work,” Craw said. “They can literally be lifesaving.”