Construction has one of the highest suicide rates of any industry in America. We’ve made huge gains in physical safety, but construction workers are at risk unless contractors address mental health.
Your leadership can save lives.
ONE LOSS IS TOO MANY
Strong leaders who know the signs and support systems can stop workers from falling through the cracks.
1 in 5 construction workers struggles with their mental health.
Suicide is one of the leading causes of death in our industry. It’s more common than falls or electrocution.
Opioid use, often starting from a workplace injury, increases the likelihood of suicide attempts by 75%.
Contractors are the first line of defense. You have the power to build a culture of safety that includes mental health by making space, setting clear policies, and modelling care.
Contractors have a lot more contact with workers than unions do. Help your team connect the dots and get the help they need. Your support makes a difference.
Across Minnesota and North Dakota, smart contractors are investing in mental health the same way they invest in physical safety.
Building a strong mental health culture doesn't cost much, or really anything. It starts with leadership owning that message and being willing to talk about it.
Brett Smith Global Safety Director, Gardner Builders
Treating employees like family and letting them know you care is a good retention plan.
Heather Grazzini-Sims Vice President, Carciofini Company
Be a company that skilled construction workers want to work for. It starts here.
MENTAL HEALTH ADVOCACY THAT MATTERS
LIUNA Minnesota and North Dakota has made mental health a top priority:
Secured funding through state budget allocations to support workforce mental health
Partnered with experts to offer free training, counselling, and support tools
Advocated for increased mental health dollars in Laborer benefits packages
We’re not waiting for someone else to solve the problem. LIUNA is acting now because every worker matters.
PRACTICAL WAYS TO SUPPORT EMPLOYEE MENTAL HEALTH
Create a Safe Space
The biggest myth in construction is that workers won’t talk about feelings. They will if it’s safe. Model openness, normalize check-ins, and empower supervisors to ask, “Are you okay?”
Offer Paid Time Off for Treatment
Getting help often comes down to hours and math. Create a clear, written time-off policy for counselling or crisis care. Don’t make workers choose between their paycheck and their mental health.
Talk About Benefits
Many workers don’t realize what their EAP (Employee Assistance Program) includes. Test out EAP resources for yourself, and then be sure that accurate information is included in onboarding and other team touchpoints.
It’s hard to ask the hard questions, but it can save a life. Give your supervisors QPR training. Practice scenarios. Set a standard and have your team’s back.
Make it easier to get help by discussing resources during training and by offering designated contacts that workers can turn to for support. We’re inspired by Gardner Builders’ Peer Champions program, which uses hardhat stickers to identify safe people to talk to.
Lead by Example
Encourage all leaders to model mental health safety by taking advantage of the benefits available to them. Share your own mental health strategies with your team and show how you make it a priority at all levels.
