Strengthening Mental Health Support for Construction Workers: A Call to Action for Construction Owners

LANSING, MI — In observance of Construction Suicide Prevention Week (September 9-13), the Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity (LEO) and the Michigan Occupational Safety and Health Administration (MIOSHA) have partnered with construction companies and labor organizations to spotlight mental health challenges and take action in the construction industry.

Suicide ranks as one of the leading causes of death among working-age adults in the U.S., and the construction industry’s suicide rate is nearly four times higher than that of the general population, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. In Michigan alone, the 2024 Michigan Suicide Prevention Commission Annual Report recorded 175 suicide deaths in the construction industry in 2022, all of which involved male workers.

The industry’s predominantly male workforce underscores the need for targeted mental health interventions. Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity Deputy Director Sean Egan emphasized the importance of addressing mental health in construction, stating, “Breaking the stigma around mental health and providing workers with the resources they need is key to fostering safer and more resilient workplaces. Mental health should be prioritized on the same level as physical safety.”

With over 203,000 construction workers employed in Michigan, MIOSHA is leveraging Construction Suicide Prevention Week to encourage companies to prioritize mental health awareness and promote open conversations about workplace stress and mental health.

Bart Pickelman, Director of MIOSHA, shared, “Each suicide is a tragedy that affects entire communities. MIOSHA is committed to helping employers improve mental health support and protections for their workers.”

Industry Participation and Call to Action

In 2023, nearly 300,000 construction workers from 47 U.S. states and territories participated in Construction Suicide Prevention Week. As part of the initiative, workers are asked to observe a moment of silence on Monday, September 9, in remembrance of those lost to suicide in the industry.

The Associated General Contractors (AGC) of Michigan, a key partner in the effort, has joined forces to distribute resources aimed at promoting mental health awareness in construction. “No worker should be left behind when it comes to mental health,” said Damian Hill, AGC of Michigan president. “We all have a responsibility to be there for those in need.”

Rising Suicide Rates in Construction

The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services reported a 65% increase in suicides among construction workers in 2022 compared to 2021, despite a temporary construction slowdown during the COVID-19 pandemic. The resurgence of normal work in 2022 has highlighted the ongoing mental health challenges that persist in the industry.

As suicide remains a significant issue, ranked as the 11th leading cause of death in Michigan in 2021, MIOSHA, LEO, and industry stakeholders are committed to continuing efforts to support the mental well-being of workers and foster healthier work environments.

For more information on the state’s workplace mental health initiatives, visit www.michigan.gov/WorkplaceMentalHealth.