Construction workers have one of the highest suicide rates compared to all other professions — but a new international initiative hopes to combat the crisis devastating this segment of the blue-collar population.
Male construction workers are about four times more likely than the general population to end their own lives, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. That accounts for 20% of suicides by occupation in the UK — and in the US, the situation is just as bad.
It’s the second-highest rate of all industries, at 45 suicides per 100,000 workers, second only to the mining and oil-gas extraction industries.
“Construction workers cope with unique causes of stress,” said Doug Parker, assistant secretary of labor for occupational safety and health for the US Department of Labor, in a statement. These mounting stresses include “uncertain seasonal work; remote work and job travel that keeps workers away from home and support systems; long, hard days … and the job-related risks of serious injuries,” Parker said.
Construction employment in the New York City metro area — which includes Long Island, lower Hudson Valley and Long Island — totaled 373,800 jobs, per the latest state comptroller data. That’s amount represents 4.7% of all construction jobs in the US.
Previous CDC research analyzing 2017-2020 data from the National Violent Death Reporting System indicated “suicide risk is associated with low-skilled work, lower education, lower absolute and relative socioeconomic status, work-related access to lethal means and job stress, including poor supervisory and colleague support, low job control and job insecurity.”
However, hope is on the horizon: A just announced collaboration between the global electricity and gas company National Grid and the UK’s University of Warwick hopes to resolve some of the life-threatening mental health obstacles faced by construction workers.
A beta facility named “the Health Hub,” set up on a construction site in Kent, England, includes a gym, social spaces, one-to-one wellbeing coaching, health awareness events and a canteen with free healthy meals.
Several workers reported that the on-site facilities “made life easier” by helping them better balance their work and mental health without having to give up time spent with friends and families.
Workers also reported more chances to make healthy lifestyle choices and experiencing improved morale, a sense of appreciation from their employer and more awareness of mental health support systems.
Alongside the inaugural Health Hub, researchers at the University of Warwick Medical School conducted an analysis of the issues faced by construction workers, who described how long working hours taxed their physical and mental health and strained their family life, as well as the stigma surrounding mental health issues.
“It was eye-opening to learn about the extent of the challenges faced by workers in the construction industry and the spiraling consequences this can have on their livelihood and wellbeing,” research assistant Sophie Tyerman of the Warwick Medical School said in a statement.
“What stood out from the participant interviews was the camaraderie and peer support workers provided each other, given they often see their colleagues more than their own families,” Tyerman added.
“When it comes to construction facilities those on site tend to be contractors,” said Emma Ford, construction director for National Grid, which provides utilities to the UK and the northeastern US.
“This can mean that they don’t receive the same kind of benefits that our people do. The Health Hub was designed to help change that.”
If you are struggling with suicidal thoughts or are experiencing a mental health crisis and live in New York City, you can call 1-888-NYC-WELL for free and confidential crisis counseling. If you live outside the five boroughs, you can dial the 24/7 National Suicide Prevention hotline at 1-800-273-8255 or go to SuicidePreventionLifeline.org.
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