ROCKVILLE, Md. — Mental health is “as important to safety as the harness or anything else you’re wearing,” Ricky Reames, a member of the American Mechanical Contractors Association, says in a new video.
MCAA’s video focuses on mental health awareness and suicide prevention in the construction industry, which is experiencing rising suicide rates.
Experts say physical strain, deadline pressures and a macho culture in the construction industry can make it more difficult for workers to talk about mental health issues. .
“We’re afraid of being embarrassed. We’re going to be judged,” Brandon Anderson, Missouri AGC’s vice president of safety and a survivor of a previous suicide attempt, said in the video. He spoke at “The guilt of, ‘I’m not strong enough to deal with it.'”
Sally Spencer-Thomas, a psychologist and international speaker on mental health awareness and suicide prevention, is calling on the industry to reduce the stigma surrounding mental health.
“What really excels in this job is toughness, stoicism, determination, and perseverance. You need that to do this job, but it’s also the thing that makes you most susceptible to suicide and overdose. Yes, because they are the least likely to seek help,” Spencer-Thomas said.
“What that culture teaches us is independence, [bear through it], whatever it is. That’s stress. It’s pain. Just keep pushing. And that doesn’t work for all kinds of health problems. we need to change that culture. ”
Anderson cautions construction professionals who suspect workers are having a hard time approaching them with compassion.
Spencer-Thomas offers additional tips.
- Let’s start by expressing concern. “I care about you. You are important to me.”
- Say, “I’ve noticed…” and then point out specific behaviors or things that have changed to suggest that you haven’t been feeling like yourself lately.
- “Tell me what’s going on, tell me what’s going on with you.”
- Listen with empathy and compassion.
- If there are enough warning signs, turn around and ask directly, “Are you thinking of suicide?”
MCAA highlights resources such as the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline number 988.
