Uncovering the Mental Health Crisis Among Construction Workers
Construction workers are a crucial part of building and developing any community, and exert their body with strenuous, physical labor while doing so. Because of their hard work, construction workers are viewed by society as tough and brave. While their work should be admired and appreciated, these stereotypes lead men to struggle in silence and keep their demons to themselves, rather than reaching out for support during times of need.
One of our loyal and regular kings, Adrian, is a welder and brought the alarmingly high rate of suicide from men who work in construction to our attention. The inspiration and vision behind The Kingdom, Edward Quinones, who is our founder’s grandfather, was also a welder and prioritized daily self-care and grooming. Why is the suicide rate so high in this field of work? Today, we’re going to discuss the contributing factors to this:
Stressful Environment
Oftentimes, the high-stress environment of construction leads men to experience mental health struggles. This is a job where tight deadlines frequently occur, creating extra stress for everyone involved. With impending and important deadlines looming over their head, men may falter with the intense pressure. Learning how to effectively cope with stress is critical in this field of work in order to remain calm and level-headed on the job. (In case you haven’t read it already, our last blog post was all about stress strategies for men.)
Intense Labor
The long hours of labor, putting their bodies through demanding tasks day after day, is incredibly taxing on mental and physical health. This can lead to burn out and fatigue, creating a dangerous situation where accidents are more likely to occur. Construction already has its potential safety issues; taking breaks and resting when needed is crucial to avoid incidents. Take care of your body after spending the day on your feet and give your body the adequate rest and nutrition necessary to properly recover.
Feelings of Loneliness
In addition to this, travel is common in this line of work. These men are often away from their family and friends while on the job, sometimes for days at a time. Without family and friends nearby to lean on, men may end the work day feeling lonely and withdrawn. Having a strong, stable support system can turn a bad day into a good one.
Substance Abuse
To deal with all of this, men may turn to alcohol, drugs, or other vices in order to cope. Substance abuse is very prevalent with men looking to relieve stress and other unpleasant feelings, however, this has the potential to turn into a vicious cycle. Alcohol and drugs are not a solution to your problems; these substances only amplify them.
Look out for your brothers in the workplace. If you notice depression or other warning signs present, reach out and offer support – it could mean more than you know. Knowing the contributing factors allows you to be more aware and create a safer work environment. Together, we can bring awareness to this issue and be proactive in how we work to combat it.