Industrial work is inherently dangerous. The careers can be advantageous, but accidents happen due to heavy machinery, materials and increased risks of slips, falls, and entrapments. However, none of those are the largest safety threats to workers in industrial fields — it’s mental health.

Mental health struggles in industrial fields 

More industrial workers die from suicide each year than any other workplace fatalities combined. The stress of long work days, intense physical labor, uncertain employment conditions and lack of support cause untreated mental health conditions. The following are significant influences on the poor mental health of workers.

Depression

While depression can happen to anyone, researchers believe stress plays a significant role in symptom development. There’s a lot at stake in a construction project. Creating a safe but efficient work environment during a worker shortage is difficult and too many companies take shortcuts at the expense of their employees.

Long hours in dangerous conditions can increase frustration, sadness and anxiety. The client depends on the workers to produce structurally sound and aesthetically pleasing results, and a worker who already lives with stress and fatigue could feel like they’re failing. Research shows two in five industry workers live with depression or anxiety.

Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)

Generalized anxiety disorder can develop throughout someone’s career, though it’s most common in adults ages 35 to 55. Like depression, there is no set cause, but there is evidence that genetics and experiences can contribute.

If a worker begins experiencing symptoms, they might get confused. They can be in a good work environment and previously lived a relatively happy life. This experience can stop them from seeking treatment because there is no clear “reason.” However, the pressure of industrial work can worsen symptoms, particularly without treatment. Those symptoms include restlessness, fatigue and poor concentration — which can lead to accidents or poor productivity. GAD has many comorbidities, including depression, bipolar disorder and addiction.

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

PTSD often occurs in high-stress environments, which are rife in the industrial field. A recent study found more than 10% of bricklayers live with the condition. Accidents, toxic work environments and high-stakes projects can overwhelm their minds.

If a worker witnesses someone getting injured or killed on a site, it causes severe mental trauma that makes going back to work a trigger. Situations that make the person fear for their job or feel overpowered by a manager, client or coworker can get so intense that it also produces trauma. Symptoms of PTSD include panic attacks, irritability and intense anxiety around certain sights, smells, sounds, textures, or locations.

Burnout 

Burnout is stress and exhaustion directly related to doing something taxing repeatedly. It’s common in high-stress jobs since the work can consume their thoughts.

Construction workers are more likely to suffer from burnout than those in other industries. Risky environments, job insecurity and excessive hours can lead even enthusiastic workers to succumb to the condition eventually. Symptoms include hyperfocusing on small errors, insomnia, disengaging with coworkers and doing the bare minimum to get through the day. 

Psychosocial influences 

Psychosocial factors are outside influences that impact a person’s physical, mental and emotional well-being. There continues to be evidence that psychosocial factors like extreme stress contribute to mental health conditions, substance abuse and suicidal ideation.

Research shows construction workers often deal with stress, harassment and a lack of support from others inside and outside of their crew. Combined with a dangerous work environment, the effects on industrial workers are monumental.

Overcoming stigma

Nearly 60% of construction workers report struggling with their mental health, but only one-third of them say they would communicate with their employer about it. Most employees are afraid to share their feelings and seek help partially because of stigma.

When asked why they wouldn’t seek help, surveyed employees listed embarrassment. There remains a strong stigma in many circles around mental health care, especially in male-dominated, traditionally masculine jobs. People don’t want to seem “weak” or “unstable.” Some believe it can affect their career or even cause them to lose their job.

Three out of five people with mental health symptoms refuse to seek professional treatment because they’re afraid of others’ reactions. There is an expectation — particularly for older men — that they need to be a strong provider. “Men don’t cry” remains a too-common philosophy. Though many understand that mental health exists and some people need help to manage it, they’re less likely to see that need in themselves.

Women can also become conflicted about seeking mental health care while working in an industrial field. There are sexist beliefs in many industries and in a male-dominated field, women could feel pressure to prove themselves at the expense of their well-being.

The three types of stigma

The American Psychological Association identifies three types of stigma surrounding mental illness that delay people from seeking care:

• Institutional: Poor education and lack of funding can stop people from reaching out. 93% of people believe there was a lack of understanding around mental health.
• Public: Some people unfortunately see people living with mental health conditions as incapable of living an independent, responsible life. Negative beliefs from family or friends and toxic company culture can solidify someone’s decision to avoid care.
• Self: Internal shame can prevent someone from seeking care. Workers may not want to admit they’re struggling. Like any illness, the idea of having it can be scary.

It’s vital to overcome these stigmas in order to prevent severe mental illness in industrial workers.

Improving mental health in industrial workers

Education and breaking the stigma around mental illness in male-dominated work environments is vital. Removing stereotypes and barriers surrounding care can help more people seek treatment sooner.

Here are some ways advocates are working to improve care in industrial fields. 

• Training: Industry training should include information about stress management and seeking mental health treatment. The education should consist of medically accurate details about how stress can affect the brain’s structure and encourage conversations around disclosing mental health symptoms without repercussions.
• Benefits: Employers who offer medical insurance should include mental health benefits and ensure workers are aware of them.
• Creating a less-stressful environment: Adjusting work hours, monitoring for hazardous conditions and having regular, calm conversations with workers can minimize stress.

Making these changes is vital to changing the culture around mental health.

Addressing all worker safety threats 

Employers and managers are responsible for addressing all physical and psychological safety threats to workers. Raising awareness about mental health, having positive conversations about treatment and stress reduction could improve outcomes.