Nobody shies away from hard work, but what happens when everything else around you becomes hard to bear?
Some may reach out for help, take steps to improve their situation and strengthen their efforts. Many others might not get help or know how to. Instead, they’ll fall into deep depression or addiction, which can lead to many more issues.
This is especially true for high-risk industries like construction, which is currently facing record-high suicide and substance abuse rates.
Suicide & Substance Abuse Rates in Construction are Rising
According to NBC News, suicide rates in the construction industry are currently 75% higher than any other industry. An estimated 6,000 workers died by suicide in 2022, showing an increase in suicide deaths in 2021. In comparison, only about 1,000 workers died from work-related injuries.
Substance abuse rates are also 15% among construction workers compared to the general public’s 8.6% addiction rate. American Addiction Centers notes 12% of all construction workers suffer from alcoholism, and 11.6% of workers reported using illicit drugs within a month of taking the survey.
The bottom line: suicide & substance abuse rates are rising at an alarming rate. Let’s talk causes, solutions, and how everyone in the industry can help.
What’s Contributing to the Problem?
It’s hard to pinpoint the exact reason why anyone would choose to take their own life. Instead of one defining moment, some suicide and substance abuse victims are subject to a thousand cuts. According to the National of Mental Health, an oppressive environment, personal struggles, and increasing stress levels can all lead to drastic mentalities that result in destructive behavior. Those suffering from mental health disorders or addiction aren’t weak – they’re trapped in a cycle they may not know how to get out of.
One major contributor to this issue is likely hazing and bullying that occurs on the job site. While official studies are rare, Reddit and forum posts like this one include hundreds of anecdotal accounts of how general sentiment toward newcomers and established employees can be incredibly negative and hostile. Like high school cliques, anyone who’s different or inexperienced can be subjected to “initiation hazing” or outright bullying. These behaviors can be malicious or unintentionally harmful, but over time they will cause harm.
An issue of demographics could indicate another contributing factor to high suicide rates in the industry. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, over 60% of all construction workers are white males, while Hispanic and African American males make up an additional 30% and 5.1% respectively. At the same time, the CDC notes suicide rates for white males (over 36,000 in 2021) are significantly higher than those of minorities.
And while suicide rates among minorities are lower, discrimination and racism towards these groups have been linked to increases in suicide. According to a survey by Construction Dive, over 77% of African American construction workers reported they were victims of a racist act on the job site that went unaddressed. Union trades like the construction industry have also been accused of institutional racism, leading to an environment that shuts out minorities where possible and mistreats those willing to work. The University of Houston also found discrimination and acts of racism were linked to significant increases in minority suicide rates.
Another underlying issue is a serious stigma that construction workers (especially males) are tough, macho professionals who don’t feel emotions and eat sadness for breakfast. An unwillingness or inability to understand and process stress and other negative feelings can lead to an overall sense of depression and despair. Without knowing how or when to get help, victims stay stuck in a vicious cycle. Being willing to talk about hard emotions and personal problems is key to fighting this mental health stigma.
Finally, long hours, low pay and stressful situations create an atmosphere that eventually starts to crush anyone in the crucible. According to Salary, the average pay for construction workers in the United States is between $31,371 and $41,787.
The average cost of living in the United States, though, is $61,334. While there may be outliers who earn more, most construction workers aren’t making enough money to get by every month, increasing the amount of stress and pressure they feel. Organizations with subpar safety culture will likely have more accidents and a disrespectful safety cop mentality. These organizations may also have tighter deadlines due to lower productivity, further compounding stress and low morale.
By improving safety, respect and efficiency on the job site, employers can reduce stress and poor working conditions that potentially lead to suicide and addiction.
How Employers Can Help At-Risk Workers
Not every contributing factor can be accounted for at the workplace, but employers still play a key part in fostering a welcoming, safe workplace. Managers, owners and employers should always be prepared to notice changes in behavior and assist any worker in crisis. Offering an open-door policy and being sensitive towards anyone who’s struggling can go a long way in improving the immediate situation and fighting the stigma around mental health in the construction industry. Providing access to the Employee Assistance Program can also give workers fighting suicidal thoughts or addiction the help and tools they need at any time of day, without needing to draw unwanted attention to themselves.
Remember – problems won’t be solved overnight, so it’s essential to start early and help as quickly as possible to establish a healthier, safer work culture. Here are a few ways to address common problems contributing to poor mental health conditions in the workplace.
- Foster a culture of mutual respect. Hazing and bullying shouldn’t be tolerated on any job site. While most organizations will say they’re against it, some won’t take any steps to stop it.
- Establish a standard of approachability. Leadership and any organization should establish a precedent of being there for any employee in need. These conversations will likely to be hard to handle, so showing sensitivity and respect to a worker in crisis is essential. Building strong professional relationships will help any organization improve and grow as needed.
- Offer competitive pay. Workers are less likely to be in crisis if their immediate needs are met. By offering a reasonable wage, employers can keep the frontline housed, properly fed, and in good mental state.
- Set reasonable deadlines. Some jobs will have tight turnarounds but try to avoid constant crunch and difficult labor. Reducing the need to rush will result in less stress and higher-quality work, providing a better product – even if it may take longer to get there.
- Prevent accidents to improve morale. If your job site reacts to incidents, rather than taking steps to prevent them, injuries will increase, and morale will drop. Treatment for injuries on the job site tends to include highly addictive pain medication – 3 of 4 injured construction workers were prescribed opioids to manage pain, leading to rampant use in the industry. If an injured employee becomes addicted, it can lead to inhibited performance and decision-making skills, leading to more accidents. By implementing a strong proactive safety culture, you can drive down incident rates and improve performance and morale across the job site.
Where to Get Help
For anyone reading this who struggles with suicidal thoughts or addiction of any kind: it can get better. There are an endless supply of resources and people who are ready to provide help. Here are just a few of them.
- Help Lines: If you or someone you know is in crisis, call 988 for the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. You can also call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 800-273-8255 to speak with a professional. For text-based help, text HOME to 741741.
- Online Resources: Visit SpeakingOfSuicide.com/resources for tools and resources for those suffering from mental health issues. The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention also offer information on the signs of suicide and how those in crisis can get help. Construction Suicide Prevention also offers hotlines, training and other assistance on their website.
- Employee Assistance Plans: The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services offers EPAs for any worker in need. These resources include assessment, short-term counseling, referral, management consultation, and coaching services for anyone in need.
- Therapy: Meeting in-person or online with a therapist or counselor can provide coping mechanisms and relief. If you’re struggling to pay for therapy, check in with your union, health insurance or community to see what options they may provide. If you can’t find a therapist in-person, check out Better Help, Talkspace, or any other remote counseling service to see what they offer.
We don’t have time to wait – suicide and addiction within the construction industry is rampant, and those struggling need all the help they can get right now. By improving working conditions and fighting mental health stigmas, everyone in the industry can fight this growing issue.
For more news, tips and information on high-risk industries, visit the Mojo AI blog.
