83% of Construction Workers Experience a Mental Health Issue
1 in 3 struggle with daily anxiety or depression and 80% of those who need it do not seek professional help often due to stigma or lack of resources. As a result, there is an undeniably high prevalence of substance abuse among contractors. According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), 15% of construction workers reported substance use disorder (SUD) in the past year, which is the second highest rate among all industries (after mining).
Construction workers also had high rates of heavy alcohol use and illicit drug use compared to other sectors.
Mental Health and Workplace Safety
Construction jobs are physically demanding, require long hours in high risk environments, and can be isolating.
Not only can this work environment lead to burnout and depression, there is also a higher rate of workplace injuries. This has led to increased prescriptions for opioids to manage pain. A study published in the American Journal of Industrial Medicine found that construction workers were more likely to misuse prescription opioids due to pain and lack of access to healthcare. Further, workers with a history of injury were significantly more likely to report opioid use.
Overdose Deaths
As of 2023, 46 million Americans aged 12 and older were struggling with substance use disorders. That year there were over 110,000 drug overdose deaths recorded.
Nationwide reports have shown that construction workers accounted for a disproportionate share of overdose deaths. These workers are 7 times more likely to die from an opioid overdose than those form other industries, and they have the highest proportion of heroin-related overdose deaths. Construction workers, especially men, also have a much higher rate of suicide compared to national averages.
What is being done to support members of our community who need help?
To help foster workplace safety and contractor mental health, and to remove the stigma of asking for help and support, Roofers in Recovery has designed a Mental Health & Wellness Protocol to help companies create a culture where mental health is prioritized, employees feel supported, and resources are readily available. By implementing education, proactive support, and crisis intervention strategies, businesses can help reduce workplace accidents, improve employee retention, and foster a safer, healthier workforce.
Together, we can break the stigma, provide life-saving resources, and strengthen the roofing and construction industry for the future.
