Builders Should Treat Mental Health and Substance Abuse as Safety Issues
Every week during National Safety Month, NAHB and other partners will focus on a different aspect of jobsite safety. This week is mental health and substance abuse.
Everyone agrees that substance abuse carries a very real safety issue on jobsites. But how should you address an employee or contractor that you suspect is impaired? And is your goal to treat them and have them return to work safely as soon as possible?
NAHB has numerous resources that can help identify and address substance abuse issues and create a path for return to work, including resources for tackling Opioids in the Home Building Industry and a video toolbox talk on Substance Misuse.
Mental health issues may not be considered a safety concern, but workers who are distracted by or fatigued due to their mental health circumstances may pose a real danger to themselves and others on jobsites.
Although mental health is a tricky issue for many, the most powerful and direct first step to addressing them with a worker is a simple, “How are you doing?” When someone knows they are supported, seeking professional help is much easier.
NAHB also has resources to help home builders navigate these tricky conversations. Check out the various resources on the Mental Health and Wellbeing page, and watch the video toolbox talk on Mental Health, also embedded below.
It can be difficult to talk about mental health and substance abuse, but in an era of labor shortages and heightened stress, it’s a business necessity to keep workers safe and on the job.
Latest from NAHBNow
IBS
Sep 22, 2026
IBS 2027 Show Home Pursues Ambitious Performance Goals
Performance is playing a central role in the construction of The New American Home 2027, the flagship exhibit of the upcoming International Builders’ Show. From the building envelope to the mechanical systems and solar installation, the project has been designed with lofty energy-efficiency targets in mind.
Associate Members Committee | Workforce Development
Sep 21, 2026
7 Strong Associate Careers to Pursue in Residential Construction
We’re highlighting a few of the construction trades’ strongest-paying Associate jobs and the skills needed to succeed at them during NAHB’s Associate Member Appreciation Month in September.
Latest Economic News
Economics
Sep 18, 2026
State-Level Employment Situation: August 2026
State labor markets showed mixed results in August, with nonfarm payroll employment increasing in a majority of states. At the same time, construction employment posted a net gain nationally, although employment trends varied across states. The unemployment rate also remained relatively low in several states, while D.C. continued to record the nation’s highest rate.
Economics
Sep 17, 2026
Single-Family Starts Rebound but Market Challenges Persist
Single-family housing starts rebounded in August, but production remains down 4.7% year to date as builders contend with rising construction costs, lot and labor shortages, and economic uncertainty.
Economics
Sep 16, 2026
With Inflation Uptick, Fed Hikes and Signals More to Come
The Federal Reserve raised the federal funds rate by 25 basis points at the conclusion of its September policy meeting, bringing the target range to 3.75% to 4%.