Understanding Mental Health in the Construction Sector

Mental health encompasses our cognitive, emotional and behavioural well-being. It shapes how individuals handle stress, interact with others and make decisions. In the construction industry an environment characterised by physically demanding labour, high-risk tasks and unpredictable conditions mental health is often affected by a combination of occupational and environmental pressures.

Chartered Institute of Building has recently carried out a new mental health survey within the construction industry and the findings have show a comparison between there 2020 and 2025 results. Sadly things have deteriorated across the board, lets look at a breakdown below:

Increase in mental health challenges from 2020 to 2025:

Stress: +19%

Anxiety: +27%

Depression: +10%

Fatigue: +14%

Irritability: +19%

Poor Concentration: +30%

Lack of Self-confidence: +21%

Feeling Overwhelmed: +16%

Suicidal Thoughts: +7%

Mental Health in the Past Year:

94% experience stress

90% feel fatigued

86% report poor concentration

83% experience anxiety

82% feel overwhelmed

60% experience depression

27% have had suicidal thoughts

What’s driving this?

69% report too much work

65% struggle with poor communication

64% face unrealistic deadlines

64% cite poor planning

60% point to inadequate staffing

Sources of Stress in Construction Work

Construction workers face numerous stressors that can impact their mental health, including:

• Tight deadlines and time pressures
• Financial insecurity due to irregular work
• Exposure to hazardous conditions
• Long working hours and night shifts
• Inconsistent management and poor communication
  
  

When left unaddressed, these stressors can build up, leading to chronic stress. Chronic stress undermines both physical and mental health, often manifesting as anxiety, depression and other psychological issues.

Anxiety Disorders in Construction Workers

Anxiety is a persistent feeling of worry, fear, or unease. In the construction industry, workers may experience anxiety due to:

• Uncertainty about job stability
• Concerns about health and safety
• Lack of control over their work environment
• Interpersonal conflicts on site
  
  

Left untreated, anxiety can affect concentration, decision-making and interpersonal relationships all of which are critical to maintaining safety and productivity on a construction site.

Burnout is A Growing Concern in Construction

Burnout is a serious condition resulting from long-term exposure to excessive stress. It is not merely tiredness; it is a state of physical, emotional and mental exhaustion, often accompanied by:

• Reduced professional efficacy
• Emotional detachment or cynicism
• Physical exhaustion
  
  

Burnout can lead to increased absenteeism, higher turnover rates and reduced quality of work. In extreme cases, it can result in self-harm or suicide. Alarmingly, the construction industry has one of the highest suicide rates among all occupations.

Depression and Suicide in the Construction Industry

• Male construction workers in the UK are nearly three times more likely to die by suicide than the national average. This tragic reality is driven by several contributing factors:
• Cultural stigma around mental health
• A predominantly male workforce, where vulnerability is often seen as weakness
• Limited access to mental health services
• High levels of job stress and insecurity

The lack of on-site support or appropriate mental health interventions further exacerbates this issue, leaving many to suffer in silence.

Substance Abuse and Addiction

Alcohol and drug misuse are often used as coping mechanisms in high-stress jobs. In the construction industry, substance misuse can:

• Impair judgement and motor coordination,
• Increasing accident risks
• Intensify symptoms of anxiety and depression
• Create dependency, making mental health recovery more difficult

Employers should not ignore substance abuse. Providing access to addiction support services and creating a non-judgemental environment is vital.

Factors Contributing to Poor Mental Health in Construction

A variety of systemic and organisational factors contribute to mental health issues in the construction industry:

1. Project-Based Nature of Work

Construction work is often project-based, with workers moving from one job to another. This transient nature of employment can lead to instability and a lack of continuity in support networks.

2. Long Working Hours

Long hours are standard in the industry, with many workers putting in overtime or working weekends to meet deadlines. This disrupts work-life balance and limits time for relaxation and family.

3. Physical Exhaustion

The physically demanding nature of construction work contributes to fatigue, which in turn affects mental well-being. Chronic pain from injuries or repetitive tasks also plays a role.

4. Lack of Support

Many workers report a lack of emotional and psychological support at work. Managers may not be equipped to handle mental health concerns or fail to prioritise them.

5. Remote Job Sites

Working in remote locations can isolate workers from their families, communities and healthcare providers. This isolation can contribute to loneliness and depression.

Building Mentally Healthier Workplaces

Creating a supportive, mentally healthy environment requires action at all levels:

1. Promote Mental Health Awareness

Workshops, training sessions and awareness campaigns can help normalise conversations around mental health. When workers understand that it’s okay to talk about their struggles, they are more likely to seek help.

2. Provide Access to Mental Health Services

Construction companies should partner with mental health professionals to offer counselling, therapy and crisis support.

3. Creating a Supportive Culture

A supportive workplace culture encourages openness, empathy and mutual respect. Supervisors and managers should be trained to identify signs of distress and respond appropriately.

4. Implement Flexible Work Practices

Allowing for more flexible schedules can help employees balance their work and personal lives. This includes offering part-time work, rotating shifts or remote working options where feasible.

5. Monitor Workload and Reduce Pressure

Excessive workloads and unrealistic expectations contribute heavily to stress and burnout. Employers must assess workloads regularly and adjust timelines to promote healthier work environments.

6. Encourage Physical Health

Physical health and mental health are deeply interconnected. Encouraging regular breaks, exercise, proper nutrition and adequate rest can improve overall well-being.

Final Thoughts

The mental health challenges faced by construction workers are real, serious and too often overlooked from stress and burnout to depression and suicide, the risks are high but so is the opportunity for change however by embracing openness, prioritising support and building mentally healthy workplace cultures, the industry can evolve into one that safeguards not just buildings but the people who construct them.

Everyone has a role to play employers, trade unions, government bodies and individuals. It’s time to ensure mental health in construction is not an afterthought, but a standard.

Let’s build a stronger, healthier industry brick by brick, person by person.