BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — Frank Wampol recalls the shocking moment he came across a statistic that changed his perspective: over 5,000 male construction workers die by suicide annually, a rate five times higher than deaths from work-related injuries and significantly above the general population average.

“To say this is a crisis would be an understatement,” said Wampol, vice president of safety and health at BL Harbert International, a Birmingham-based construction company with over 10,000 employees.

In response, BL Harbert has introduced mental health first-aid training for supervisors and distributed suicide prevention resources to workers. These efforts are part of a broader push by unions, federal agencies, and research institutions to address the mental health crisis within the construction industry.

However, implementing mental health initiatives proves far more challenging than enforcing physical safety protocols like hard hats or goggles. Paid sick leave, one proposed solution, has faced resistance from industry leaders concerned about costs.

Douglas Trout, an occupational medicine physician with the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, highlighted the gravity of the issue. “Rates of suicides and overdose deaths are some of the worst outcomes related to mental health conditions,” he said.

Beyond suicides, the construction industry has seen high rates of drug use, particularly opioids like fentanyl, contributing to the highest overdose deaths by occupation, according to the CDC. Nearly half of construction workers report symptoms of anxiety and depression, but fewer than 5% seek professional help, compared to 22% of the general U.S. population.

“The combination of high-hazard environments, long hours, family separations, and job insecurity makes construction workers particularly vulnerable,” Trout explained.

Industry advocates agree that breaking the stigma around mental health is crucial. “The biggest step is normalizing conversations around mental health,” said Nazia Shah, director of safety and health services at the Associated General Contractors of America.

Efforts to address these challenges include distributing resources like hard-hat stickers, “hope coins,” and information cards with the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. Companies are also organizing mental health stand-downs and health education fairs, while some bring mental health professionals directly to worksites.

Peer support programs, such as the Australian-born Mates initiative, are gaining traction. These programs train workers to identify and assist colleagues in crisis, offering confidential support and guidance.

Safety managers like Stanley Wheat emphasize the importance of personal engagement. “You’ve got to know your people and engage them,” Wheat said, recounting his own struggles with addiction and mental health.

Wheat often shares his story with workers, encouraging them to seek help. “I’ve been there,” he said. “And I know it makes a difference when someone cares enough to listen.”

With efforts like these gaining momentum, the industry is taking steps to address one of its most pressing and overlooked dangers.