Construction Careers Council’s Post

It was a real privilege for the Construction Safety Research Alliance to present our work on construction industry mental health to the Ironworker Management Progressive Action Cooperative Trust Conference earlier this week. Our panel, hosted by Bert Royer included myself, our research project lead Siddharth Bhandari, the CSRA Board Chair Mike Court and CSRA research team member Todd Dinesen, CSP. This joint CSRA/CII research project unpacked the key underlying stressors for construction workers, looking to the causes rather than the symptoms, and emphasizes the need to give mental health the respect it truly deserves. We are construction folks, which inevitably means we want to fix things and find solutions, but we need to acknowledge that we are not mental health professionals and so any fix here is just not within our gift to give - and that's OK! Instead, we need to be excellent signposts to robust mental health support services and certified mental health professionals, rather than jumping in workboots-first and potentially making a situation worse. We do need to do something, but not just anything... The research report from this project is free for download on the Construction Safety Research Alliance website and contains guidance and advice on how we can best support mental health in the construction industry. You can access the report here: https://lnkd.in/gb2P_UVC #csra #2024IMPACT #2024IMPACTConference #ShapeYourFuture

Today we spread the mission at the National Pavement Expo & Conference in Tampa, Florida. I arrived at 5:45 am to prepare for my 8:00 am presentation on mental health and suicide awareness in construction. I am always paranoid to be late. 😏 In today's talk I am going to drive home two points. The first being that mental health directly impacts physical safety. While we discuss losing more than 5,000 US Construction workers annually to suicide, we fail to recognize that some of the 1,008 we lose to job site fatalities may be struggling mentally and in that split second of distraction, make a poor decision. How many of those 1,008 were struggling with a mental health issue, whether it be a short-term struggle or a life time struggle. I expect we can reduce the 1,008 if we address mental health. The second being, that I am not saying we need to hand out ice cream cones at work, we just need to manage with compassion and understanding. It is okay to discipline, coach, set expectations, and push our employees as this is a tough demanding industry, we just need to do it differently than the generation I am part of.

It’s been equally eye opening and a privilege to hold space for tradies through my event ‘The Shift’. The event gives tradies practical tools to better their wellbeing, creates space for you to talk about what’s really going on, and teaches you how to unpack, communicate and reset. The Shift comes from my personal experience, struggling with my mental health within the industry, but also going to work everyday alongside people I really cared about who were struggling and didn’t have tools or a network to support them. Nothing changes, if nothing changes. I believe we have an opportunity to create real change in this generation of construction workers. Many of the trades I have come through the event are not aware what support or tools are even out there, how to speak up or reach out. If people dont know what they’re looking for, how do they know what step is in the right direction? The lives and wellbeing of our industry is counting on us. By giving people real tools, outlets and resources, we change the narrative. I am passionate about our industry’s future, and that starts with looking after our workers wellbeing today. It’s a privilege to have already connected with so many people in the construction industry. Looking forward to continuing to connect, learn and share with you all.

🔗 Resources We Love: Partner Groups and Associations 🔗 We are grateful to partner with organizations that share our vision of creating safe, supportive environments in the construction industry. During Mental Health Awareness Month, we're shining a light on some of our incredible partners: • MindWise Innovations   🧠 Offers tools and resources to help organizations identify and address behavioral health needs. •Procore's Mental Health in Construction - Procore Technologies   🚧 Provides educational resources to build awareness and take action on mental health challenges in construction. • Get Construction Talking    📢 Encourages honest conversations to break the stigma and provides helpful guidance for supporting mental health. •Associated General Contractors of America's Mental Health & Suicide Prevention -Associated General Contractors of America  🛠️ Offers training and guidance on mental health and suicide prevention for construction professionals. • Associated Builders and Contractors  🔨 Focused on the success and safety of their workforce, including mental health initiatives. •Laborers' Health & Safety Fund of North America's Mental and Emotional Health Resources- Laborers' Health & Safety Fund of North America  🛠️ Focuses on promoting emotional wellness and providing resources to prevent suicide. Follow these incredible organizations to access their resources and help make a difference! We'll continue sharing more resources throughout the month. #suicideprevention #MentalHealthAwarenessMonth #ZeroSuicideIndustry #ConstructionCommunity #MentalHealthMatters #CIASP #STOPSuicide #STANDUPforSuicidePrevention

🛠️ 𝐁𝐮𝐢𝐥𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐒𝐭𝐫𝐨𝐧𝐠 𝐅𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐝𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐬 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐌𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐥 𝐇𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐭𝐡 🧠 In the construction industry, we know the importance of laying a strong foundation for every project. But just as critical is ensuring our own mental well-being. In a high-pressure environment like construction, stress, fatigue, and burnout can take a toll. Today, on World Mental Health Day, let’s take a moment to reflect on the importance of mental health and how we can build a culture of support and care on and off the job site. 👷♂️👷♀️ 𝐖𝐡𝐲 𝐢𝐭 𝐦𝐚𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐬: ▶ Construction workers are among the most at-risk for mental health challenges due to the demanding nature of our work. ▶ Open communication and awareness can break down the stigma surrounding mental health, encouraging people to seek help when needed. ▶ A strong mind helps us work safer. 💬 𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐰𝐞’𝐫𝐞 𝐝𝐨𝐢𝐧𝐠: At Strike Group, we prioritize mental health as part of our safety culture. We talk about mental health and suicide prevention in safety meetings, feature mental health discussions in our company newsletters, and bring in speakers to engage with our teams. Our HSE Resource Library offers valuable mental health tools, and employees have access to our Employee Assistance Program (EAP) for support when they need it most. Let’s take care of each other, because strong teams build stronger futures. #WorldMentalHealthDay

It’s Time to Break the Silence The construction industry is in the midst of a mental health crisis that demands our immediate attention. Let’s not sugarcoat it: **men are significantly less likely to seek help for mental health issues than women**. The statistics speak volumes—**only 13% of men** experiencing mental health challenges in Australia reach out for professional support, compared to **31% of women**. This isn’t just a gap; it’s a chasm that’s costing lives, especially in an industry like ours. Think about what it means to be in construction—long hours, relentless pressure, the physical toll of the work itself. This is a field where resilience is often mistaken for invulnerability, where silence is worn as a badge of honour. But here’s the reality: that silence is deadly. The stigma around mental health in our industry is not just a hurdle—it’s a wall, and it’s keeping too many men from seeking the help they desperately need. **Suicide rates in the construction industry are six times higher than the national average.** That’s not just a statistic; it’s a call to action. We can’t afford to wait any longer. This is an urgent plea to every single person in the construction industry—from apprentices to project leaders, and from site managers to seasoned professionals. It’s on all of us to make a change. We need to build a culture where reaching out for support isn’t seen as a weakness, but as a necessary and courageous step toward wellness. Mental health resources shouldn’t just be available—they should be actively promoted and encouraged at every level of our industry. If we don’t take this seriously, we will continue to lose our colleagues, our friends, our family members. The time to act is now. Let’s lead by example, open up the conversation, and tear down the barriers that prevent men from accessing the support they need. Our collective action can make a difference—it can save lives. This is our moment to show that we care, that we’re listening, and that we’re ready to act. #MentalHealthMatters #ConstructionCrisis #BreakTheSilence #TakeAction #MensWellbeing #SupportEachOther #beamanofmorewords #softenup

Meet Mike Pugh, CHST, Safety Manager at Evergreen Innovation Group (EIG), LLC, who shares his brave journey through recovery and his ongoing commitment to mental health advocacy in the construction industry. Mike's story sheds light on the strenuous pressures faced by construction workers, the culture of silence, and the necessity of supportive work environments. Discover how his extensive background in large commercial projects and his role as a safety manager are helping to transform the industry’s approach to mental well-being. Mike learned some tough lessons throughout his journey. He opens up about the "gray areas" of life, moving away from black-and-white thinking, and balancing family responsibilities with personal struggles. His honest reflections on battling substance abuse offer hope and guidance for those on the same tumultuous path. In this episode, we also explore practical solutions for improving mental health in the construction industry. Mike discusses the importance of changing the language surrounding mental health to reduce stigma and make conversations more approachable. Learn about the pressing need for effective mental health programs from the ground up and how fostering open dialogue can create a culture where seeking help is as normalized as adhering to physical safety protocols. This episode promises to be a beacon of hope and a call to action for those working in high-stress, physically demanding environments 👉 https://lnkd.in/eXCNQZWY #SuicidePrevention #ConstructionMentalHealth #MentalHealthAwareness #TheSiteVisit #ConstructionPodcast

Looking for the latest insights in the construction industry? Check out our blog for informative posts on everything from career tips to mental health support!  Discover how our The Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB) membership showcases our commitment to ethical values, read about our innovative projects in education, and learn more about our new office space that's designed to help us grow. Read more here https://lnkd.in/eRZG-F_q Stay informed, stay inspired!  #ConstructionNews #HawesConstructionGroup #IndustryInsights

Sustainability in construction isnt just about the building materials. Many employers offer an Employee Assistance Program (EAP) or counselling services through extended health benefit plans. I wonder how many contractors are including mental health as a topic during morning ‘tool box talks’ and safety meetings. Offering some ideas about these topics, here’s an important segment from CBC and Matt Galloway this week… “Why more construction workers are talking about mental health” BC Building Trades | SkilledTradesBC | ICBA | Independent Contractors and Businesses Association | VRCA - Vancouver Regional Construction Association | BC Construction Safety Alliance

Some BRILLIANT news to welcome the new week... ... On The Tools is shortlisted for another award! 🥇 Our report, 'Behind the High-Vis: a Mental Health White Paper', is a finalist in the Health, Safety, and Wellbeing Excellence category in the National Federation of Builders 2024 Construction Awards of Excellence. ‘Behind the High-Vis: a Mental Health White Paper’ was created by On The Tools in 2023 to explore the full scale and impact of mental ill health in the construction industry. After some research revealed significant concerns about mental ill health across the industry, we knew something needed to be done to address the issue. We believe that mental ill health must be incorporated into rigorous safety protocols, training, and maintaining a safe work environment. So, we created 'Behind the High-Vis' to shape health and safety initiatives and embed an evergreen culture of wellbeing in the industry. Read the report here 👉 https://bit.ly/42mS3sR #MentalHealth #ConstructionNews