Trenton, N.J. — As Mental Health Awareness Month shines a spotlight on psychological well-being across the country, leaders in the construction industry are calling attention to a growing crisis within their own ranks. Despite being a key driver of the national economy, the construction sector is grappling with alarming rates of mental health issues, substance use, and suicide—issues that experts say demand immediate and comprehensive action.
According to the Center for Construction Research and Training (CPWR), a division of North America’s Building Trades Unions, 15.4% of construction workers reported experiencing anxiety or depression in 2021. Alarmingly, fewer than one in five of those individuals sought professional help.
The crisis deepens with data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) National Vital Statistics Reports, which indicate that construction and extraction workers face the highest rate of overdose deaths across all occupational groups—162.6 deaths per 100,000 workers. CPWR also reports that the suicide rate in the construction industry is 2.4 times higher than in any other field.
“This data is a wake-up call for everyone in the industry,” said the Chief Operating Officer of the Associated Construction Contractors of New Jersey (ACCNJ). “Mental health should be treated with the same urgency and seriousness as physical injuries. No amount of safety equipment can protect against this escalating crisis unless we address its root causes.”
Stress and Stigma: A Deadly Combination
Long hours, physically demanding labor, and unpredictable project timelines are among the major stressors cited by construction workers. The pressure to maintain a work-life balance under such strenuous conditions often leads to increased levels of anxiety, depression, and substance abuse.
Adding to the problem is the persistent stigma surrounding mental health in traditionally male-dominated, labor-intensive industries like construction. A cultural emphasis on physical strength and emotional resilience has made it difficult for many workers to speak openly about their struggles.
“In a trade that prides itself on toughness, we must begin to value vulnerability as strength,” the ACCNJ official noted. “We need to foster a culture where mental health conversations are not just accepted but encouraged.”
Industry Response: Building a Foundation for Support
To address the crisis, ACCNJ and other organizations are urging construction companies to expand their health and safety protocols to include mental health care. Recommendations include offering confidential counseling services, implementing mental health awareness initiatives, and training supervisors to recognize early warning signs of distress.
At ACCNJ, mental health and well-being have become central to their mission. Many of the associated trade unions offer Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs) that provide help with mental health issues, substance use disorders, and personal challenges such as grief, family conflict, and marital difficulties.
On a national level, the Associated General Contractors of America has launched a Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Task Force. This group has developed a suite of tools and resources to support workers and connect them with vital services.
A Call to Action
“This Mental Health Awareness Month, we’re asking the construction community to go beyond physical safety,” the ACCNJ COO said. “We must commit to creating a culture of psychological safety—where support is readily available and no one feels the need to suffer in silence.”
With suicide and substance use continuing to claim lives at an alarming rate, industry leaders agree: the time for incremental change has passed. What’s needed now is a coordinated, industry-wide effort to integrate mental health into the foundation of workplace safety—ensuring that every worker, from apprentice to foreman, has access to the care and compassion they deserve.
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