6 Inclusive Strategies to Address the Mental Health Crisis in Construction
The crisis in mental health is a very severe problem that has to be addressed. Like those in other industries, construction workers frequently deal with this issue. Discover some of the inclusive solutions that can be used to alleviate mental health problems in the construction industry.
(Photo : Pixabay/s m anamul rezwan )
1. Reduce Stress
When stress levels are not properly handled and are high, they have the potential to cause devastation in your life, whether it be physical, emotional, or psychological. Construction is a high-stress industry due to a variety of factors, including extended work hours, strenuous physical labor, adverse weather conditions, scarcity of labor, and enduring a pandemic, among others. Stress from work affects family life, increasing the likelihood of depression, alcohol and drug use, and suicidal thoughts. Knowledge to lessen tension in your life and at employment places nationwide is abundant.
2. Monitor and Moderate Alcohol & Drug Use
There are a variety of factors that contribute to the construction industry's higher rates of drug and alcohol consumption. In a cross-industry research by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, 16.5% of full-time construction workers drank significantly in the past month, regardless of age or gender. The industry was second for excessive alcohol consumption and sixth for drug-use-disordered personnel between 2008 and 2012.
3. Build a Caring Culture
Construction companies have considered the importance of mental wellness despite many having already committed to always promoting safety. Zero Incidents is a goal held in high esteem within the safety culture. Nevertheless, when a large number of people consider Zero Suicides as a goal, they are treated with skepticism that it is even possible to achieve this aim. As mentioned, develop a topic for awareness that will be used throughout the year and incorporate it into many different parts of the firm's culture.
4. Teach Coping Skills for Life Challenges
At all levels, orientation for new hires, onboarding, manager training, leadership development, and wellness programs help employees incorporate mental health into their health, fitness, and relationships. As part of a wellness competition among work teams or to achieve engagement targets for health insurance, attending seminars in these areas can be rewarded. These workshops can also be presented in person or can be completed online.
5. Enforcing internal mental health training
Dealing with issues about mental health can be difficult because there are so many different factors involved. Some people can easily open up, while others have difficulty doing so. On top of this, some people are better able to recognize when anything is wrong with another person, while others are not particularly good at this.
Therefore, it is essential that employees receive training on mental health in the workplace. Not only does it enable workers to become more aware of and recognize warning signs, but it also assists in letting employees know that they are supported and pointing them in the correct place to receive assistance.
6. Providing Accessible Support
One engaging mental health support approach that businesses may apply is providing employees with access to a brief daily podcast at the beginning of each day. This podcast may guide the employees regarding interventions promoting mental well-being, such as improving sleep patterns. In addition, to guarantee the highest possible level of accessibility, the podcast must be downloadable on mobile devices.
Related Article: Advocates Call to Prioritizing Mental Health Alongside Safety Protocols in the Construction Workers