Construction Workers Mental Health Statistics: Results of Travelers Survey
Building resilience: Construction professionals speak out on mental health.
Even the most resilient construction workers can face mental health struggles. Our survey reveals the toll of these high-risk jobs – stress, fatigue and anxiety – as well as the critical gaps in support. Understanding these challenges is the first step toward meaningful change.
The hidden burden: Mental health challenges in construction
Many construction workers surveyed report experiencing stress, anxiety, fatigue and more.
|
Percentage of construction workers experiencing these challenges in the past year: |
|
|
Stress |
62% |
|
Anxiety |
46% |
| Fatigue | 43% |
| Sleep difficulties | 42% |
| Depression | 36% |
| Burnout | 31% |
| Loneliness | 23% |
| Physical injury | 23% |
| Non-medical substance misuse | 5% |
| Thoughts of self-harm | 4% |
| None of the above | 17% |
The support gap: Many workers lack access to appropriate resources to seek help
Many survey respondents reported that they lack access to resources that could help them manage mental health challenges.
| Lack of access to resources to manage the following: | |
|
Non-medical substance misuse |
63% |
|
Sleep difficulties |
59% |
|
Loneliness |
57% |
|
Burnout |
53% |
|
Depression |
52% |
|
Fatigue |
51% |
|
Anxiety |
50% |
|
Thoughts of self-harm |
47% |
|
Stress |
43% |
|
Physical injury |
26% |
The need for training: Empowering construction managers to support mental health
Many construction managers are comfortable discussing mental health, with 78% reporting they feel at ease having these conversations.
However, over half (51%) of them report they have not received formal training on how to address these issues.
Many survey respondents indicated that key resources, training and support would make them more comfortable with these conversations.
|
Percentage of construction managers who say these factors would boost comfort in employee conversations: |
|
|
Information and resources to help guide conversations |
63% |
|
Training on how to best conduct these conversations |
58% |
|
Support from upper management |
47% |
Addressing mental health in the industry: What’s next?
The message is clear: Construction workers often face serious mental health challenges, with many lacking adequate support. Addressing these issues through improved access to resources and manager training can be crucial to fostering a healthier and safer work environment.
Access Travelers’ Construction Resources to raise your awareness of mental health risks in the industry and begin the path to taking action.
To uncover key trends in construction worker mental health, we surveyed industry professionals on their experiences, challenges and access to resources.
Survey size: 500 construction industry workers
Participants: Professionals working as construction managers, project managers, risk or safety managers, superintendents, supervisors, forepersons or construction laborers, who primarily work for a commercial general contractor or commercial trade contractor.
Survey date: August 2024
