Mental health has rapidly emerged as one of the most pressing — and least addressed — challenges in the construction industry. While contractors across the country have invested heavily in reducing physical hazards, improving jobsite protocols and creating stronger safety cultures, an invisible threat continues to take its toll on workers: stress, anxiety, depression and burnout.
A new national survey of more than 2,000 construction workers and executives confirms what many in the field have sensed for years. Nearly two-thirds of U.S. construction workers say they have experienced anxiety or depression within the past year, highlighting an alarming trend that affects not only workforce well-being but also safety, productivity and project outcomes.
This issue is no longer something companies can afford to overlook. OSHA now identifies workplace stress and mental health as major safety concerns, underscoring their impact on injuries, decision-making, absenteeism and long-term health. If construction firms want to protect their workers and maintain efficient operations, mental health must take its place alongside hard hats, fall protection and jobsite training as a core safety priority.
How Mental Health Directly Impacts Safety and Job Performance
Construction is already one of the most physically demanding and high-risk occupations in the country. Add untreated mental health challenges, and the danger escalates significantly.
According to OSHA:
- Stressed or fatigued workers are far more likely to overlook hazards, make poor decisions or take shortcuts — leading to falls, struck-by incidents and other serious jobsite injuries.
- Long-term stress can cause heart disease, high blood pressure, chronic pain and sleep disruptions, reducing workers’ physical ability to perform safely.
- Anxiety and depression impair concentration, motivation and judgment, undermining quality of work and increasing the odds of errors.
- Workers struggling silently with mental health problems are also more likely to miss work, driving up absenteeism and disrupting project schedules.
Simply put: when a worker’s mind isn’t well, their body — and everyone around them — is at greater risk.
What the New Clayco Survey Reveals
The Clayco survey sheds important light on the day-to-day mental health realities construction workers face:
- 64% experienced anxiety or depression in the past 12 months.
- 47% said the physical demands of the job were a major source of stress.
- 42% pointed to poor work-life balance.
- 41% cited relentless deadlines.
- 36% missed work specifically because of mental health concerns.
- 45% said they would feel ashamed discussing mental health, addiction or suicidal thoughts with coworkers.
- 37% of workers who did seek mental health services reported discrimination or unfair treatment afterward.
The stigma is real — and dangerous. Workers fear being seen as weak, unreliable or unfit for duty. That silence can prevent someone from seeking help until a crisis occurs.
What Construction Leaders Can Do Today
The construction industry is uniquely positioned to make a difference. With strong leadership and consistent communication, companies can create safer, healthier, more supportive environments. Here are proven steps organizations can take:
1. Treat Mental Health as a Core Safety Priority
Put mental health on equal footing with physical safety hazards. Incorporate it into:
- Safety policies
- Job hazard analyses
- New-hire orientations
- Toolbox talks
Supervisors should understand that fatigue, distraction and stress are risk factors — just like unguarded machinery or exposed edges.
2. Train Supervisors to Recognize Early Warning Signs
Frontline leaders should be equipped to spot:
- Changes in behavior or mood
- Withdrawal from coworkers
- Irritability or anger
- Signs of substance misuse
- Sudden drops in performance
OSHA and other organizations offer mental health conversation tools and supervisor guides to help managers approach these situations with empathy.
3. Make Mental Health Resources Easy to Access
Audit your company’s offerings:
- Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs)
- Telehealth counseling
- Crisis hotlines
- Wellness programs
- Health plan coverage
Promote these resources openly. Post information in break areas, include reminders in pay stubs and reinforce confidentiality during meetings.
4. Reduce Stigma Through Leadership Example
When executives and supervisors speak candidly about their own stress, burnout or use of counseling, it normalizes the conversation. Workers take cues from the top — vulnerability is powerful.
5. Address Jobsite Stressors You Can Control
Construction is demanding, but not all stressors are unavoidable. Companies can:
- Review and adjust project schedules
- Reduce excessive overtime
- Improve staffing levels
- Rotate assignments requiring extended travel
- Ensure workers can take breaks and time off without penalty
- Set more realistic deadlines and provide recovery periods
Small adjustments can make a big difference in workers’ mental resilience.
The Bottom Line
The mental health crisis in construction is real — and growing. But it is also preventable. By prioritizing mental well-being as part of a comprehensive safety culture, construction firms can reduce injuries, improve productivity, retain skilled workers and create environments where people feel valued, supported and safe.
Addressing mental health doesn’t just protect workers — it protects companies.
About BGES Group: Protecting Contractors and Their Workers
At BGES Group, we understand the challenges construction businesses face every day — from managing risk and securing affordable insurance to protecting workers on and off the jobsite. We specialize in:
- Workers’ compensation solutions
- High-risk and hard-to-place accounts
- Construction and contractor insurance
- Safety guidance and compliance support
- Personalized service with fast turnaround
Our mission is simple: help contractors operate safely, stay compliant and save money, while ensuring their employees get the protection they deserve.
If your company is facing workers’ compensation issues, coverage gaps or rising premiums — or if you simply want a second opinion — we’re here to help.
Contact BGES Group – Gary Wallach
📞 (914) 806-5853
📧 bgesgroup@gmail.com
We help contractors build with confidence — safely, securely and with the right protection behind them.