Mental Problems Construction Workers Face
- Posted on: Oct 15 2021
When you talk about job site hazards, physical injuries caused by unprotected falling, or perhaps a restricted zone you might walk into, come to mind. But some dangers can only be felt and not seen.
Suicidal thoughts, anxiety, and depression are equally dangerous to workers’ safety as any other hazards. But due to lack of awareness, the mental health issue among construction workers is growing day by day. A study published in 2020 revealed that as many as 83% of construction workers in the United States have suffered from a mental health issue. This could strongly mean that the guy who always brings in donuts or that woman who is always kind to everybody on-site could be facing a crisis but is not letting anyone see it.
Here are some of the common mental health issues faced by construction workers.
Suicidal Thoughts
Construction sites, according to CDC, have the highest suicide rate of all industries combined. Looking at the numbers, suicides could easily top the OSHA’s Fatal Four Hazards list. The tell-tale signs of this illness are pretty apparent. However, employers and coworkers fail to notice them. We urge you to talk to everybody present, even those who prefer being alone. Communication is the key to helping people around you.
Drug and Alcohol Use
Because of problems at home and a job they cannot afford to leave, construction workers also restore to alcohol and drug abuse, as per the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention. This misuse also serves as a two-fold risk. By consuming opioids and cocaine, these workers are also impairing their ability to work on-site. They are putting both their safety and those of others at risk.
What Causes These Mental Health Issues?
The mind can be affected by several elements. Common contributors to mental health issues in construction workers include high-pressure and competitive work environments. This leads to substance abuse, alcohol, and drugs consumption which ultimately causes them to be separated from their children or family and even layoffs at the end of the season.
Employers are urged to take care of the construction workers and create healthy cultures and environments for them. Monetary compensation helps, but the workers also need a break. We recommend on-site therapists lend an ear or help out any worker struggling with such issues. After all, they are human beings, too and require constant attention to their well-being.
Posted in: Blog, Orthopedics, Work Injuries, Workers Compensation Benefits