The Struggles in Construction and Why Mental Health Support Must Be a Priority

In the construction industry, we’ve been asking the tough questions. We’ve been listening to the voices of those who work tirelessly day after day and now it’s time to speak up. Across sites, teams and roles in construction, there’s a crisis that cannot be ignored any longer. The stresses and strains on workers are simply unsustainable.

The Struggles in Construction Can No Longer Be Ignored

From tight deadlines to financial pressures to the mental health challenges faced by workers who feel they have nowhere to turn, the construction industry is at a tipping point. If change is not made now, the consequences will be dire. In this blog, we’ll break down the challenges workers face and explore why mental health support is not just a “nice-to-have,” but an essential part of ensuring a sustainable workforce for the future.

1. Workload & Burnout: The Pressure is Relentless

The construction industry is built on deadlines, targets and budgets but at what cost? Workers are being stretched beyond their limits, with tight deadlines and long shifts becoming the norm. From early mornings to late nights, construction workers are frequently putting in gruelling 7am to 10pm shifts. For many, these extended hours aren’t just a temporary measure but a permanent way of life.

Night work, weekends and long stints away from home only add to the strain. The mental and physical toll of these long hours is draining, leading to burnout and exhaustion. When combined with the pressure to stay under budget, workers are left feeling like they are working in a constant state of crisis.

But it’s not just about fatigue it’s also about the emotional toll. When communication is rushed and workers don’t feel heard, frustration and mistakes follow. The constant cycle of stress leaves little room for workers to recover or find balance, creating a culture of burnout that affects not just the workers but the entire team.

3 Positive Actions You Can Take:

1. Set Clear Boundaries – Encourage workers to set realistic limits on their working hours. This might mean insisting on taking regular breaks during the day or ensuring they have time off after particularly long shifts. Coaching can be an effective tool to help individuals learn to manage their time more effectively.
2. Create Open Communication – When workers feel heard, they are more likely to feel valued. Take the time to check in regularly with your team to ensure they have a chance to voice their concerns. A simple “how are you doing?” can go a long way.
3. Promote Mental Wellbeing – Introduce initiatives like walk-and-talk events, where workers can get outside and chat informally. It’s a proven way to reduce stress and can be easily arranged through services like Onward Shift’s events designed to build support networks.

    

2. Financial Stress & Lack of Protection: The Hidden Struggles

A staggering proportion of construction workers are self-employed, facing minimal rights and zero safety nets. These workers, often without the security of a regular salary, live with the constant fear of financial instability. The nature of the industry makes it difficult for many to plan for the future, with some workers struggling to secure stable contracts or facing long periods between jobs.

For many workers, the financial strain is all-consuming. Debt, anxiety and in some cases, suicidal thoughts, are not uncommon. The pressure to earn enough to support their families can weigh heavily on their mental health, but the lack of protection makes it difficult for workers to seek help. Without support structures in place, these workers feel isolated in their struggles.

Even for those dealing with personal issues, like fathers in the middle of custody battles, the financial strain can become unbearable. With little to no support available, workers find themselves unable to access the resources they need to manage their personal challenges, resulting in increased stress and emotional exhaustion.

3 Positive Actions You Can Take:

1. Seek Financial Advice – Encourage workers to access financial coaching, helping them budget effectively, manage debt and plan for future stability. This can be a valuable resource that reduces anxiety and provides practical solutions to alleviate financial stress.
2. Support with Legal Issues – If a worker is dealing with personal issues such as a custody battle, refer them to the appropriate support services. It’s crucial to create a network where workers feel they have somewhere to turn for legal or financial advice.
3. Create Safe Spaces for Discussion – Create a culture where workers can speak openly about financial worries. This could include creating informal spaces for workers to discuss challenges or bringing in external experts to address financial wellbeing and mental health.

    

3. Mental Health & Silence: Breaking the Taboo

One of the most pressing issues within the construction industry is the stigma surrounding mental health. Too often, mental health is still seen as a weakness and workers are reluctant to speak up. There is a pervasive culture of silence workers fear being judged, overlooked or losing work if they admit to struggling.

Some construction companies have taken steps to address mental health, throwing up posters and offering basic “check box support.” However, these efforts often fall short. True support requires more than just token gestures; it requires a cultural shift. Workers need to feel that they can talk openly about their mental health without fear of judgment or repercussion but unfortunately, many still find themselves isolated in their struggles.

3 Positive Actions You Can Take:

1. Encourage Conversations Around Mental Health – Take the lead by initiating open and honest conversations about mental health. Highlight that it’s okay to talk about struggles, whether through team meetings, informal chats or workshops.
2. Lead by Example – If you’re in a leadership role, openly acknowledging your own challenges with mental health can help reduce stigma and encourage others to do the same. This might involve opening up during team meetings or sharing a personal experience.
3. Offer Professional Support – Having access to professional resources, like expert speakers who can break down mental health barriers or podcasts that provide coping strategies, can make all the difference. It’s not about having all the answers but creating a culture where workers know support is available when needed.

    

4. Culture, Isolation & Addiction: The Hidden Crisis

The culture of construction is one that often encourages silence. Bullying, whether subtle or overt, is real and it’s often masked as “banter.” New workers are frequently left to sink or swim without proper mentoring or protection, leading to a toxic work environment where workers feel unsupported and undervalued.

For many workers, the isolation that comes with long shifts and time spent away from home is a serious issue. Loneliness creeps in and the drinking culture that thrives on construction sites exacerbates the problem. Addiction, whether to alcohol, drugs or other substances, is often stigmatised, and workers are left to struggle alone, unable to seek the help they need.

Isolation and addiction are deeply intertwined with mental health struggles and it’s vital to address them both. Creating opportunities for workers to talk openly about these issues is essential. Organising informal events, such as walk-and-talk sessions, allows workers to discuss these challenges in a safe and supportive environment. Meanwhile, expert coaching can help individuals manage the emotional toll of addiction and isolation while offering pathways to support and recovery or seeking support from free of charge groups like alcoholics anonymous, cocaine anonymous or marijuana anonymous.

3 Positive Actions You Can Take:

1. Create a Supportive Environment – Actively work to create a supportive culture where bullying and toxic behaviours are not tolerated. Have an open-door policy where workers feel comfortable reporting issues without fear of retribution.
2. Address Isolation – If workers are spending time away from their families, it’s important to offer ways to stay connected. Regular check-ins or virtual team meetings can reduce feelings of isolation and foster a sense of community.
3. Break the Cycle of Addiction – Encourage workers who may be struggling with addiction to seek out support. Workshops and informal events, such as walk-and-talk sessions, can provide an outlet to discuss these issues openly and help workers find professional resources when needed.

    

5. The Pressure of Leadership Roles: The Silent Strain on Managers

Leadership roles in the construction industry come with their own set of challenges. Managers are caught between supporting their teams and satisfying upper management, often sacrificing their own well-being in the process. The emotional toll of these responsibilities is rarely addressed, and too often, the mantra of “man up” is used when leaders face stress.

Managers, like workers, experience burnout and exhaustion but there’s little to no training or support available to help them navigate the emotional weight of their role. This lack of support can lead to poor decision-making, increased stress and further alienation from their teams. Without proper mental health support and guidance, the cycle of stress continues, affecting both the leadership and the workforce.

3 Positive Actions You Can Take:

1. Provide Leadership Training on Mental Health – Offer leadership training that includes how to manage mental health in high-pressure environments. This can provide managers with tools to not only support their teams but also look after their own mental well-being.
2. Support Work-Life Balance for Managers – Encourage breaks, time off and clear boundaries between work and home life. Leadership isn’t just about working harder, it’s about working smarter.
3. Promote Peer Support – Managers can benefit from peer-to-peer support, creating a network of trusted colleagues who can offer advice, share challenges and provide emotional support when needed. Building this network can help alleviate the unique pressures of leadership roles.

What’s Missing? The Call for Real Change

The need for genuine investment in the well-being of construction workers is undeniable. Companies must go beyond simply placing posters on walls or offering vague promises of support. What’s needed are people centred practical tools that can help workers manage their mental health in real, tangible ways. It’s time for open conversations, not closed-door policies that push the issue aside.

Take Action: The Industry Cannot Afford to Wait

If you’re ready to go beyond box ticking and truly support the mental health of your workers, it’s time to act. The stakes are too high and the cost of inaction is already too steep.

To the construction industry’s leadership: Your people matter. Make the change today.

For practical tools, resources and support built by people who understand the industry, visit OnwardShift. This platform is designed for the people who keep the construction industry running. Save the link. Share it. Put it to work.

The construction industry can no longer afford to ignore the mental health crisis that’s unfolding. It’s time to lead the charge for change. The future of the industry depends on it. Are you ready to make a difference?

By recognising the importance of mental health and providing real support, the construction industry can create a more sustainable and healthier workforce.

Now is the time to make mental health a priority, for both workers and leadership.