Introduction

This article explores the urgent issue of mental health in the construction industry, focusing on why it matters now more than ever for ABC Ohio Valley contractors and members. We’ll cover the latest mental health statistics, the unique stressors facing construction workers, and the business impact of unaddressed mental health concerns. You’ll learn about the TELUS Health Employee Assistance Program (EAP) available through ABC Insurance Trust, how it differs from traditional EAPs, and actionable steps for implementing it across your organization. Whether you’re a business owner, HR leader, or safety manager, this guide will help you understand why prioritizing mental health is essential for workforce stability, safety, and productivity.

Key Takeaways

• Mental health in construction is now a workforce, safety, and productivity issue: TELUS Mental Health Index materials show roughly 30% of construction workers are high-risk for mental health concerns vs. 23% of the broader U.S. workforce, and this rate is also significantly higher than that seen in the general population.
• The construction industry has the second-highest suicide rate among major industries, with male construction workers facing a suicide rate of 56 per 100,000, nearly double the national average of 32.0 per 100,000; other comparisons place male construction suicide at more than four times the national average.
• Many survey respondents report that untreated mental health issues show up as lost productivity, absenteeism, safety risks, high turnover, substance abuse, and reduced productivity across active projects.
• ABC Insurance Trust’s stand-alone TELUS Health Employee Assistance Program covers all employees, not just health-plan enrollees, for $3.05 per employee per month if enrollment forms are submitted by the May deadline.
• ABC Ohio Valley members should use Mental Health Awareness Month to enroll, host, or attend the webinar, and make worker mental health part of workplace safety.

The job is physically demanding. The schedule is tight. The margin is thin. And in a region already short roughly 60,000 workers across the Dayton-Cincinnati corridor, Northern Kentucky, and Southeastern Indiana, contractors cannot afford to lose tenured craftworkers to a mental health crisis, suicide, addiction-related disability, or burnout.

The Mental Health Reality on Ohio Valley Construction Sites

Key Mental Health Statistics

On construction sites from Cincinnati and Dayton to Springfield, Lima, Northern Kentucky, and Southeastern Indiana, workers deal with job site trauma, near misses, physical injury, chronic pain, long drives, family separation, job insecurity, and financial stress. TELUS data shared for this rollout indicates about 30% of construction workers fall into the high-risk mental health category, 13% carry an anxiety or depression diagnosis vs. 11% nationally, and the sector trails the broader workforce. Broader research adds context: nearly 64% of U.S. construction workers report experiencing anxiety or depression annually, driven by high-hazard environments and tight deadlines. A 2020 survey found that 14.3% of construction workers reported struggling with anxiety and nearly 6% reported struggling with depression, with many indicating worse mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Common Stressors in Construction

Extreme physical labor, heavy overtime, and irregular, project-based shifts can lead to chronic fatigue and burnout among construction workers. Traveling for remote jobs and long shifts in construction reduces family time, leading to isolation and emotional disconnection. In fact, several factors contribute to the increased risk of mental health disorders among construction workers.

Many construction workers experience significant mental health challenges, including stress, anxiety, and fatigue, often exacerbated by tough deadlines, high-hazard conditions, and long working hours. High levels of psychological stressors are inherent in construction work due to demanding conditions. Stigma associated with mental health issues prevents construction workers from seeking help, exacerbated by a historically male-dominated culture emphasizing toughness, physical strength, and “push through it” thinking. Workplace initiatives and support focused on mental well-being are essential for raising awareness, reducing stigma, and promoting a healthier work environment.

From Human Cost to Business Impact: Why Mental Health Is a Core Safety and Productivity Issue

Impact on Productivity and Safety

Addressing mental health in the construction industry can improve productivity, as mentally healthy workers are more focused and less likely to be involved in accidents. Preventive mental health strategies can also enhance financial performance by improving productivity, increasing workforce stability, and reducing costs associated with absenteeism, turnover, and accidents. The World Health Organization estimates that 12 billion working days are lost each year due to depression and anxiety, costing approximately $1 trillion in lost productivity globally. In TELUS materials, construction workers who feel more stressed than before the pandemic report 47 lost productivity days per year, compared with 31 days for those who do not; workers actively thinking about leaving their job report about 65 lost productivity days per year.

As of January 2024, construction’s work productivity score sat 8.9 points below the national average. That affects job performance, rework, absenteeism, schedule reliability, EMR exposure, and workplace safety. Poor mental health can affect mental health and physical safety at the same time because distraction, fatigue, substance misuse, and untreated mental health disorders all increase safety risks.

Additional Human and Business Costs

The construction industry has the second-highest suicide rate among major industries, which significantly impacts worker safety and productivity. Construction laborers make up 16% of all workplace opioid overdoses due to self-medication for job stress or chronic pain. Physical strain, extended hours, and mandatory overtime lead to chronic pain and exhaustion, which are direct precursors to mental distress for construction workers.

Why Traditional EAPs Haven’t Worked for Construction Crews

Many construction companies technically offer employee assistance programs, but many workers do not know what they are, do not trust their confidentiality, or cannot easily access them. TELUS rollout data show that 38% of construction workers do not have access to an EAP vs. 31% nationally; only 28% know what an EAP is and what it covers vs. 33% nationally; and 30% cite cost as the main barrier to getting mental health care.

Traditional EAPs often rely on phone-only intake, business-hour access, non-clinical gatekeepers, and eligibility tied to the medical plan. That misses project-based hires, seasonal craftworkers, and day-one employees. It also misses the foreman who will use 24/7 chat from a truck before he ever calls HR.

What Makes the TELUS Health Stand-Alone EAP Different

Coverage Details

ABC Insurance Trust has partnered with TELUS Health, a global workplace mental health and well-being provider covering more than 157 million healthcare lives, and a U.S. clinical network of more than 74,000 counselors with an average of 17 years of experience.

Stand-alone means this TELUS Health Employee Assistance Program is not buried inside a medical plan, not tied to a carrier, and not limited to open enrollment. All employees can access mental health resources, whether or not they take company health coverage: project-based hires, seasonal workers, part-time staff, and day-one new employees.

Access Methods

When a worker calls, a live master ‘s-level mental health clinician answers on the first call. Support is available 24/7 by instant chat, phone, video, and in-person counseling. TELUS reports an average of 24 minutes of clinical support per interaction, compared with the industry average of 10 minutes of intake. Just as important, 63% of new TELUS Health users who reach out via 24/7 instant chat say they would not have reached out through traditional phone-based channels.

What Your Crews Actually Get When They Reach Out

Employees and eligible family members can access:

• 24/7 crisis intervention, including support for self-harm, suicide, and acute mental health concerns; for immediate danger, workers should still call 911 or the 988 crisis lifeline.
• Critical incident response after fatalities, near-fatal accidents, violent incidents, or traumatic events on construction sites.
• Counseling for anxiety, depression, grief, trauma, sleep issues, conflict resolution, and other mental health struggles.
• Substance use counseling for opioids, alcohol, and other substance abuse concerns.
• Financial counseling, legal consultations, child care, elder care, career support, and work-life services.

Promoting easy access to professional care and clear contact methods for mental health support is essential in the construction industry. This is not a substitute for medical, legal, or professional advice in every situation, but it provides workers with appropriate professional help quickly.

Chronic Pain, Medication, and Substance Use: Why This EAP Fits Construction

Any serious approach to health in construction has to address chronic pain and substance misuse directly. TELUS materials report that 34% of construction workers suffer from chronic pain compared with 24% nationally, and 45% use prescription medication to manage pain vs. 36% in the broader workforce.

That matters in concrete, steel, roofing, electrical, mechanical, and industrial work. Pain, loss of capacity, family stress, and financial pressure can stack up quickly. Job insecurity, seasonal fluctuations, and unpredictable income create chronic financial stress and anxiety in the construction workforce. The TELUS model integrates mental health counseling, substance use support, legal help, and financial counseling through a single access point.

Connecting Mental Health to ABC Ohio Valley’s Safety and Workforce Strategy

ABC Ohio Valley already treats safety as a business function through the Annual Safety Day Conference & Expo, Safety Peer Groups, Mid-America OSHA training partnerships, VitalCog sessions, STEP participation, and supervisor training. Mental health training belongs in that same system.

Employers must treat mental health as a core safety hazard by de-stigmatizing help and training supervisors in mental health first aid. Providing proper training for leaders and staff is essential so they can recognize warning signs and foster a supportive environment for addressing mental health issues. Management can help destigmatize mental health in construction by framing it as a standard safety priority, on par with physical safety measures. Training supervisors to recognize early warning signs of mental health issues and equipping them to have supportive conversations can significantly reduce stigma and promote open discussions about mental health in the construction workplace. Notably, 69% of construction organizations believe offering mental health training to workers would be beneficial, while only 25% currently provide it.

Use toolbox talks, orientation sessions, anonymous surveys, suggestion boxes, and peer support to gauge stress levels on construction job sites. Managing project schedules to allow adequate rest between shifts is important to combat chronic fatigue in construction work. For workforce strategy, connect this to ABC Ohio Valley’s Construction Workforce Shortage and Construction Workforce Development Strategic Business Function resources.

Cost, ROI, and the ABC Member Discount Deadline

The standard rate is $3.50 per employee per month. The ABC member discount is $3.05 per employee per month for enrollment forms submitted by the May deadline during Mental Health Awareness Month.

That is less than one specialty coffee per craftworker per month for 24/7 clinical mental health, financial, legal, substance use, and work-life support. Compare that with one lost foreman, one addiction-related disability, one severe incident tied to impairment, or dozens of lost productivity days.

How to Implement the TELUS Health EAP Across Construction Sites

Leadership Steps

Start with company leaders: owner, president, CFO, HR, safety, project executives, construction managers, and field leaders. Confirm headcount, calculate the $3.05 rate, submit the ABC Insurance Trust enrollment form, and set the launch date.

Communication Strategies

Communicate clearly using the following steps:

1. Specify who is covered.
2. Emphasize that the company pays.
3. Assure that confidentiality is protected.
4. Explain how to call, chat, or scan the QR code.
5. Clarify why this is tied to safety, retention, and worker well-being.

Integrating mental health initiatives with traditional disease control and safety measures helps manage both physical and mental health risks, creating a safer and healthier work environment for everyone.

Use wallet cards, jobsite posters, onboarding, superintendent meetings, Safety Peer Groups, and toolbox talks. Anonymous utilization patterns can help improve mental health strategy without exposing individual workers.

Exactly What ABC Ohio Valley Members Should Do Next

Contact ABC Insurance Trust at 800-621-2993 or insurancetrust@abc.org and request the stand-alone TELUS Health EAP proposal before the May deadline. You can also request information through the QR code on the TELUS Health EAP flyer available at VitalCog sessions and Strategic Planning.

Secondary CTA: contact ABC Ohio Valley about hosting or attending an educational webinar. Chapters that host an educational webinar can extend the discount to participating members.

Construction industry leaders already know this is not soft. 77% of Presidents, CEOs, and Owners in the construction industry recognize addressing mental health at work as a priority, compared to 48% of CFOs and Controllers. 93% of construction industry leaders agree that addressing mental health at work is a sound business practice. In a market short 60,000 workers, enrolling before the May deadline is one of the highest-leverage workforce investments an Ohio Valley contractor can make this year.

FAQ

Does the TELUS Health EAP only cover employees enrolled in our medical plan?

No. This is a stand-alone EAP, separate from medical insurance. It can cover all employees, including project-based hires, seasonal craftworkers, part-time staff, and day-one new employees.

Can family members use the TELUS Health EAP?

Most EAP designs allow spouses, partners, and dependent household members to use many counseling and work-life services. ABC Insurance Trust can confirm final eligibility details for each member company.

How is confidentiality protected?

TELUS Health does not share individual counseling details with employers. Employers may receive high-level, de-identified utilization reporting. Leaders should say plainly that using the EAP will not affect assignments, promotions, or employment status.

What else should contractors do besides buying the EAP?

Create a respectful workplace culture. Reduce stigma. Provide supervisor training in Mental Health First Aid. Employers should provide supervisors with Mental Health First Aid training to recognize warning signs of mental distress among construction workers. Construction companies are encouraged to utilize toolbox talks to raise awareness about mental health issues, which can help spark conversations among workers.

Where can we find suicide prevention resources?

The Construction Industry Alliance for Suicide Prevention provides resources and training focused on mental health and suicide prevention specifically for construction professionals. 94% of respondents in a construction industry survey recognize the importance of sharing mental health resources with workers to raise awareness, reduce stigma, and encourage help-seeking. Leaders in the construction industry play a crucial role in fostering a caring culture that prioritizes mental health awareness and suicide prevention, which is essential for breaking down barriers to mental health discussions. A suicide prevention task force can organize helpful resources, resources related to crisis response, and suicide prevention mental health training. Even if you have seen agc mental health resources elsewhere, ABC Ohio Valley members should anchor the next step here: enroll through ABC Insurance Trust before the May deadline.