Mental health issues in the construction industry continue to challenge employers with 64% of construction workers reporting that they’ve experienced anxiety or depression in the last 12 months, according to a survey of more than 1,000 construction workers in the U.S.

That’s a ten percent jump from 54% in the 2024 survey commissioned by Clayco, a construction company with more than 3,500 employees and $5.8 billion in revenue in 2023.

Construction workers most frequently say that physical demands of the work (47% in 2025, 42% in 2024), poor work-life balance (42% in 2025, 36% in 2024) and tight deadlines to complete projects (41% in 2025, 35% in 2024) are the main causes of distress on the job.   

More than a third (36%) of construction workers say they have missed work due to mental health concerns within the past 12 months, 4 percentage points higher than in 2024 (32%). 

The stigma surrounding mental health runs strong in construction. Almost one in two construction workers (45%) say they would feel ashamed talking about their mental health, addiction or suicidal thoughts with their coworkers.  

The survey also polled more than 1,000 construction industry executives and decision makers, whose responses reinforced the presence of a stifling stigma.  A worker who disclosed they are interested in seeking mental health support would be less likely be assigned important tasks according to 21% of executives, and 30% would more closely monitor those individuals.

There is also a disconnect in the perceived availability of support, with 80% of construction executives saying workers have access to mental health support services on the jobsite, while only 61% of construction workers believe services are available to them at work. 

Almost half (44%) of construction workers say they have used professional mental health services or support programs in the past 12 months -- 10 percentage points higher than in the August 2024 survey (34%).

Among construction workers who have used professional mental health programs in the past year, more than a third (37%) say they have been discriminated against or treated unfairly at work due to seeking help.

More than one in three workers (35%) have used prescribed medication to treat their mental health within the past 12 months -- 8 percentage points higher than in the 2024 survey (27%). 

Nearly six in ten (58%) of construction workers admit they have mis-used or over-used at least one substance to cope with their mental health within the past 12 months, and more than a quarter (28%) say they have experienced substance use disorders or challenges with other forms of addictive behavior within the last 12 months.

If you have experienced suicidal thoughts in the past 12 months, call 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. Or visit https://988lifeline.org/ for more information.