Mental Health in Construction: It's Time to Talk About It

Construction is a tough industry. That’s no secret. The long hours, high pressure, unpredictable schedules, and physical demands of the job can wear on just about anyone. However, what doesn’t get talked about enough is how all that impacts our overall mental health.

At Merit, we believe that taking care of our people goes beyond safety vests and hard hats - it means checking in on how our team is really doing.

The Industry Reality

It is well known construction workers are some of the hardest working people out there. But the unfortunate reality is this industry sees some of the highest rates of depression and suicide… It’s a heavy stat and it’s not one we can ignore.

Between long hours, being away from home, job stress, and the pressure to always be “tough,” it’s no surprise that mental health struggles happen. What is surprising, however, is how little it’s talked about.

What Mental Health Awareness Looks Like on the Job

So, how can we make a difference? How can we turn those heavy stats around and bring support to our teams out on the job? Mental health awareness doesn’t mean we all need to become therapists, it means paying attention and showing up for each other. That could look like:

  • Asking a coworker how they’re doing - and really listening.

  • Noticing if someone’s acting different and checking in.

  • Encouraging a coworker to take a break whenever needed.

Many requirements have been put in place to ensure the physical safety of our teams. But just like we look out for each other on ladders, scaffolds, and around heavy equipment - we’ve got to do the same when it comes to stress, burnout, and mental strain. Safety is just as much about the physical as it is about the mental wellness of our teams.

What We Can All Do

As a general contractor, Merit is working to create a culture where mental health isn’t an unspoken subject. That all starts with normalizing the conversation - on site, in the trailer, and during team meetings. We want our teams to know that it’s okay to speak up, and it’s even more okay to ask for help.

We’re also:

It’s not about fixing everything immediately, but small steps that can make a big difference.

We're All in This

In the end, our teams are what make the work possible. The buildings and timelines don’t happen without healthy teams behind them.

If you’re part of this industry, whether you're handling equipment or managing the schedule, just know that you’re not alone. We’ve got each other’s backs - on and off the job.

Let’s keep the conversation going and bring awareness to mental health year-round.

Below are a list of helpful websites provided by AGC. If you or someone you know is struggling with mental health, please seek help or call the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988.

Kasey Byorick