Construction workers wear Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) daily, but protecting mental health alongside physical health is equally important. Sadly, construction workers have among the highest suicide rates by population. In the U.S. alone, men working in construction are four times more likely to die by suicide than the general population. While the construction industry is one of enormous physical labor, including significant physical stress, mental health is being elevated on the job site – modern safety programs are approaching safety as a holistic issue, mind, body and spirit. Increasing communication and visibility around mental health issues can go a long way to reducing stigma and creating an inclusive environment. For leaders looking to address the issue of mental well-being, talking about it openly goes a long way. Including recurring mental health training and policies in safety meetings are one way to ensure mental health is at the forefront of the safety conversation.
https://www.constructiondive.com/spons/breaking-ground-on-mental-health-one-conversation-at-a-time/695230/