Mental Health is a Jobsite Issue
May is Mental Health Awareness Month, an annual observance to raise awareness of mental health issues around the world and to mobilize efforts in support of mental health.
There has long been a stigma around discussing mental health issues in the construction industry. NAHB and partners have been working to erase that stigma and give members access to resources focused on mental wellness.
Construction is a great industry for a long, rewarding career. But physical demands and notoriously tight deadlines can cause mental strain, and a culture of individual toughness can prevent peers from talking to each other, making construction professionals particularly susceptible to mental health issues.
Despite the common belief that mental health issues cause people to suffer in silence at home, it is actually a jobsite issue that can impact physical safety, work quality, productivity and job satisfaction. Many times, people don’t recognize they are having a difficult time with their mental health, leading to further frustration as they try to understand what is wrong.
Mental health issues can manifest in various ways and often do not include suicidal ideation. The most common signs of mental health issues are:
- Overwhelming feeling of sadness
- Confusion or difficulty concentrating
- Excessive feelings of anxiety, worry or fear
- Extreme mood swings
- Withdrawal from family, friends or socializing
- Feeling tired or unmotivated all the time
If you are experiencing more than one of these, please talk to someone close to you, which might be someone at work. If you, or someone you know, are currently experiencing a mental health crisis and feel that you may harm yourself, please dial 988 immediately, the national Suicide & Crisis Lifeline in the United States.
For more mental resources designed specifically for the home building industry, please visit NAHB’s Member Mental Health and Well-Being section.