In order to address the issues faced
by construction and bring more
resources to the forefront, a much-needed
change is required. It starts
with smashing stigma and stereotypes,
and it’s followed by conversations.
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very hard to break. The result is a slow-to-change
approach to mental health in the
construction sector.
Besides reluctance to discuss mental
health concerns or seek help when in cri-sis,
construction workers have other fac-tors
working against them that increase
their risk for mental illness:
• Higher injury rates in their industry2
• Statistically lower education levels3
• Higher rates of reported financial and
emotional stress
following injuries4
• Increased instances of alcohol and
substance abuse5.
Injuries impact
mental health
Construction workers are at increased
risk for workplace injuries.6 Physical inju-ries
can have a massive impact on mental
health. For example, injuries may also con-tribute
to:
• Financial concerns over to how to
provide for a family after an injury
• Ongoing pain or discomfort following an
injury that may cause stress, personality
changes or dependence on substances
• Post-traumatic stress disorder
• Feelings of inadequacy
• Depression/anxiety.
Construction workers aren’t just at
risk of developing mental health prob-lems
if they’re the injured parties, either.
Witnessing an accident can also cause
mental anguish. Resilience is relative, and
reactions to catastrophic events vary great-ly
from person to person.
There’s been huge shift in
Canada recently toward end-ing
stigma surrounding mental
health concerns and illnesses. Many work-places
have instituted programs aimed at
mental health awareness, supporting those
living with mental illnesses and address-ing
workplace hazards and factors known
to negatively impact psychological well-be-ing.
Yet, in the construction sector, change
has been slower – and that’s a big problem.
Stereotypes are slowing
down much needed change
While it’s true that the availability of men-tal
health and wellness resources has
increased, and that the stigma that con-struction
workers once faced is start-ing
to diminish, the change has lagged
behind other industries.1 Reasons for that
vary, but among them is the construc-tion
worker stereotype that refuses to go
away. Construction workers are mistakenly
assumed to be less in tune with their emo-tions,
because they’re “tough guys.”
This stereotype isn’t just false; it’s harm-ful.
It’s perpetuating the idea that men,
especially burly construction workers,
shouldn’t feel or express emotions, or seek
help for mental health concerns or illness-es.
It also completely disregards women in
the industry. Stereotypes are often very in-grained
in societal thinking and teaching,
even at subconscious levels, and they’re
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