PROTECT MY FAMILY

When it comes to mental health conditions, studies show that the construction industry has one of the highest suicide rates by population for males.

In fact, the suicide rate for the construction industry is roughly four times the national average, and more construction workers die from suicide each year than every other workplace-related fatality combined. This is largely due to factors such as working in a highstress, deadline-driven environment, long work hours, seasonal workload, and separation from family when working away from home. The biggest cause, however, is that individuals who are struggling are doing it in silence. In male-dominated industries, strength and toughness are often highly valued, and admitting that you need help is unjustly viewed as weak; this means that people who need help often won’t seek it.

Dealing with depression and or anxiety is challenging but does not need to be managed alone. We naturally seek out help with a broken limb, or the flu, yet shy away from seeking out help when struggling with anxiety or depression. The stigma surrounding mental health in the construction industry has devastating impacts on those in our field, and we never want to see a member of the Southland family struggling.

All Southland employees have access to the Employee Assistance Program (EAP). The EAP provides a variety of professional services to help improve mental health, reduce stress, and make life easier. For more information, contact HR or visit http://rsli.acieap.com