Mental Health On Site: Top 10 Tips To Support You & Your Crew

In construction and trade industries, mental health and substance use are critical issues that can significantly impact the well-being of construction workers and the overall productivity of job sites. Read through our top 10 tips to support your mental health and that of your team, plus learn some common signs of mental health challenges that people may experience while working on-site.

Aside from the risk of legal issues, stress, and anxiety, poor mental health can increase absenteeism and turnover and raise the likelihood of workplace injuries. It is essential for companies in the construction industry to actively address and manage mental stress among their employees.

Understand The Challenge

In construction and trade industries, mental health and substance use are critical issues that can significantly impact the well-being and overall productivity of job sites. Tradespeople often face unique mental health challenges due to the physically demanding nature of their work, long hours, and sometimes hazardous conditions. Substance use can become a coping mechanism for managing stress, anxiety, and physical pain. A 2020 study found that 83% of construction workers have experienced a mental health issue. Furthermore, the Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety highlights that workers in the trades are more likely to use substances compared to other occupations. We know that these statistics are alarming and want to bring you information and solutions that can be used in your business to help you and your crew feel your best!

Recognizing Signs Of Mental Health and Substance Use Challenges On-Site

Understanding and recognizing the signs of mental health and substance use challenges can help in providing timely support to employees in need. Check out our Small Business Starter Guide for more signs and symptoms to look out for.

Signs of Mental Health Challenges:

1. Changes in Mood or Behaviour: Sudden changes in behaviour such as withdrawal from social interactions, feelings of hopelessness, irritability, or emotional outbursts.
2. Decreased Productivity: A noticeable decline in work performance, missed deadlines, accidents or mistakes, and decreased quality of work.
3. Physical Symptoms: Frequent complaints of headaches, fatigue, stomach issues, or other unexplained physical symptoms.
4. Difficulty Managing Stress: Overreaction to minor setbacks/stressors or difficulty coping with normal work pressures.

Sign of Substance Use:

1. Behavioural Changes: Erratic or unpredictable behaviours. Increased risk-taking or disregard for safety protocols on site.
2. Physical Signs: Bloodshot eyes or dilated pupils, slurred speech, unexplained injuries, or frequent accidents.
3. Changes in Work Patterns: Frequent or extended breaks, decline in punctuality or reliability.
4. Changes in Personal Habits: Smell of substances on breath or clothing.
5. Social Issues: Isolation from coworkers or friends, changes in social circles.

Actionable Tips To Take Care Of You And Your Crew’s Mental Health

10. Nutritious Work Lunch Options

Encourage your team to fuel up with nutritious meals to maintain energy during prolonged, physically demanding workdays. On remote job sites with limited options nearby and no kitchen or refrigerators, workers may resort to unhealthy takeout, which can lower energy levels and negatively impact mental health. To combat this, offer healthy snack options on-site and look into arranging for a meal truck to visit regularly. By prioritizing healthy eating, you can help your crew stay energized and mentally sharp throughout the day.

9. Regular Breaks & Rest Periods

Taking regular breaks throughout the day, especially when working in outdoor conditions and strenuous situations, is beneficial for improving your mental and physical health. Encourage your team to step away from the task at hand at times to relax and recharge. During hot weather, set up shade stations and provide water and other hydration drinks to prevent dehydration. Additionally, by using Biiibo to deliver building materials directly to your job site, you and your employees can use your brakes to rest instead of making material runs. Learn more about keeping you and your employees hydrated on-site in our Staying Hydrated blog post.

8. Play A Podcast

Introducing podcasts on-site can significantly contribute to the mental health and well-being of you and your crew. Beyond entertainment, podcasts offer a unique opportunity to educate and uplift spirits during the workday. Podcasts focused on mental health and substance use provide valuable insights and strategies for maintaining well-being on-site and fostering a supportive atmosphere where team members feel empowered and informed about their mental health. Consider scheduling sessions dedicated to covering stress management, wellness practices, and specifically mental health in the trades to enhance knowledge and encourage open discussions among the team. Additionally, comedic, storytelling, adventure, and world knowledge-type podcasts can also be beneficial by providing moments of laughter, inspiring narratives, and expanding cultural awareness - all contributing positively to the work environment.

We’ve put together a list of mental health podcasts to get you and your crew started:

Mental Health Podcast Episodes:

1. Blue Collar Conversations: Navigating Mental Health In The Trades
2. The Fix: Mental Health In The Trades With Twig and Ty
3. The Construction Life: Mental Health and Tradespeople with Taylor Pagniello from Rise Psychotherapy.
4. Trade Therapy
5. Power Women Of The Trades: Stress Management Through Activity: Walking, De-Stressing, and Alleviating Work-related Stress
6. Everyday Positivity: Emotional Regulation Systems

Check out our Small Business Starter Guide For More Podcast Options and other resources to support your mental health!

7. Employee Recognition

Recognize and celebrate your team's hard work and individual achievements. Acknowledging their efforts can boost morale, increase job satisfaction, and foster a positive work environment. Consider ideas like providing a team lunch after a long work week, giving away gift cards to recognize outstanding work, or organizing team events that celebrate achievements and strengthen your team. Personalized thank you notes, flexible work arrangements, and performance bonuses are another few ways to show your team you care and contribute to their positive mental health. These gestures show appreciation and motivate your team to continue their great work.

6. Mental Health Champions

Appoint a mental health champion or two within the crew to promote mental health and substance use awareness and support. Creating a culture of openness and support by dedicating people to bringing attention to these topics and checking in on their co-workers is a great way to foster a supportive work environment. Plus, changing who the mental health champion is each month is a good idea to give multiple people a chance to learn more about these topics and connect with the rest of their crew. Peer support can be an effective prevention strategy to help individuals gain control of symptoms and improve their quality of life (Sunderland, Mishkin, Peer Leadership Group, & Mental Health Commission of Canada, 2013).

5. Mental Health Days & Check-Ins

Encourage your crew to take mental health days when needed. Account for these days to help your crew prevent burnout, reduce stress, and improve overall well-being. By normalizing the use of mental health days, you can demonstrate that your mental health is essential and promote a balanced work culture. Give your customers a realistic timeline to support this. In combination, conduct regular mental health check-ins with your team. These can be informal conversations or scheduled meetings, where employees can discuss any concerns or stressors they are experiencing. Providing this safe space for open dialogue shows that you care about your well-being and helps to reduce the common stigma that surrounds the topic of mental health, especially on construction sites.

4. Educational Workshops

Organize educational workshops on mental health, substance use, and overall well-being. These workshops can provide valuable information, resources, and coping strategies. Research shows that workplace education can help reduce employee substance use (Meister, 2018). A great example is Mental Health First Aid developed by the Mental Health Commission of Canada. This program trains individuals to recognize common mental health issues and respond effectively for both themselves and others. Offering this training to your crew, including employees, supervisors, and on-site Mental Health Champions, can significantly enhance their ability to support mental health in the workplace and foster a more supportive work environment. For more valuable educational resources, check out our Small Business Start Guide For The Trades.

3. Prioritize You & Your Crew’s Work-Life Balance

Prioritizing work-life balance is crucial for maintaining overall well-being and productivity among you and your crew. Giving your team enough time at home to spend with their families and rest must be calculated into the costs and timelines given to clients. When a good work-life balance is there, it leads to fewer mistakes, happier teams, increased safety, and overall better work — properly managing this when the workload increases or running behind schedule can be difficult, especially when dealing with pressure from others. Standing up for your crew and planning for delays in advance is important to avoid these issues when possible. When the deadlines run tight, consider using Biiibo to have your materials delivered directly to your job site to save time and keep your project on track.

2. Reduce Stereotypes & Stigma On Site

Creating a work environment where all team members feel respected and valued is necessary to promote good mental health. This begins with a personal mind shift about the current stereotypes and attitudes such as “man up” and “being tough”. From there, encourage open dialogue and discussions among your team that challenge stereotypes and highlight the importance of diversity, inclusion, and advocating for what each individual needs to do their best work. Foster a culture of respect and empathy where differences are celebrated, and your crew feels safe to express their thoughts and concerns without fear of judgment or discrimination. You can gain valuable resources to help you navigate this in our Small Business Starter Guide For The Trades.

1. Get To Know Your Crew

Taking the time to get to know your crew personally can significantly support their mental health and well-being. Building strong interpersonal connections can foster a sense of belonging, which is essential for creating a supportive workplace. By understanding each team member’s strengths, challenges, and personal interests, you can better tailor their support to their needs. This knowledge allows you to recognize early signs of stress or mental health issues, enabling you to offer timely assistance or resources. Additionally, forming genuine relationships creates open communication and trust, making it easier for team members to discuss their concerns and seek help when needed. To start this, try sharing a bit about yourself and things you’ve experienced with mental health and stress in the workplace to build the connection and help the crew feel more comfortable reaching out if they are struggling.

Supporting mental health and well-being in the construction and trades industries is beneficial and essential for creating a positive and productive work environment. By understanding the unique challenges faced by tradespeople and recognizing the signs of mental health and substance use challenges, you can provide timely support to your team. Implementing the actionable tips above can help foster positive mental health on-site and make a significant difference in the lives of yourself and your employees.

Utilize the resources found in our Small Business Starter Guide For The Trades to explore this critical topic further.