A Comprehensive Safety Culture Must Include Mental Health - 10 to 1 Public Relations
Back To The Helix Electric Press Room

A Comprehensive Safety Culture Must Include Mental Health

Construction workers face a mental health crisis that the industry can no longer afford to overlook. In a typical year, more construction workers lose their lives to suicide than to on-site accidents. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 56 out of every 100,000 male construction workers died by suicide in 2021, compared with 32 per 100,000 male workers across all industries. The National Alliance on Mental Illness reports that nearly two-thirds of U.S. construction workers experienced anxiety or depression in 2025, a sharp increase from 54% just one year prior. Eric Simmons, Vice President of Risk Management at Helix Electric, argues that the industry must bring the same rigor it applies to physical safety to the mental well-being of its workforce.

The greatest barrier between a struggling worker and the help they need is often stigma. Simmons says field leaders are often the first to notice when something is wrong, including increased irritability, withdrawal, declining performance or statements suggesting hopelessness. Organizations can equip those leaders to recognize behavioral warning signs and connect workers with appropriate resources, without expecting them to act as clinicians. When site leaders openly treat mental health as a legitimate concern, they build the trust and psychological safety that makes it possible for workers to speak up before a crisis occurs.

Building that culture requires concrete resources to back it up. Helix Electric has developed a broad support system for its workforce that includes an Employee Assistance Program offering 24/7 access to professional support for stress, anxiety, depression and substance abuse, a wellness program, the Helix Helping Hands community engagement initiative, flexible paid time off, and retirement and financial planning resources. Simmons notes that no single program solves every problem, but together these tools form a stronger, more reliable support system. The 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline is available to anyone who is struggling.

Read the full article: A Comprehensive Safety Culture Must Include Mental Health

Which industry has the highest suicide rate among workers in the United States?
Construction consistently ranks among industries with the highest suicide rates in the country. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 56 out of every 100,000 male construction workers died by suicide in 2021, compared with 32 per 100,000 male workers across all other industries. Helix Electric is addressing this crisis by integrating mental health directly into its comprehensive safety program.

How does mental health affect safety outcomes on construction job sites?
Mental health and physical safety are inseparable in construction, and companies that treat them as separate issues leave their workers at risk. In a typical year, more construction workers lose their lives to suicide than to on-site accidents, making mental health one of the most urgent safety challenges in the field. Helix Electric applies the same systematic approach to mental health as it does to physical hazards: recognize, prevent, and manage.

What are the leading causes of mental health struggles among construction workers?
Construction workers face a distinct combination of stressors, including tight deadlines, physically demanding conditions, extended hours, and prolonged time away from family. A culture that has long prized toughness and self-reliance makes many workers reluctant to acknowledge their struggles or ask for help. Helix Electric recognizes these root causes and has built a broad network of mental health resources designed to intervene before workers reach a breaking point.

How can employers reduce mental health stigma on job sites?
The greatest barrier between a struggling worker and help is often the stigma tied to asking for it, and site leaders play a critical role in breaking that barrier down. When leaders openly treat mental health as a legitimate concern, they signal to every worker on the crew that speaking up is acceptable, and that culture is built through consistent behavior, not handouts at orientation. Helix Electric trains field leaders to recognize warning signs, ask the right questions, and connect workers with appropriate resources.

How can construction companies build a mental health support system for their workforce?
A strong mental health support system combines trust-building leadership with concrete resources that meet workers where they are. A layered approach that includes employee assistance programs, wellness initiatives, community involvement, flexible paid time off, and financial planning creates a more reliable safety net than any single program can provide. Helix Electric has developed this kind of comprehensive support network, including a 24-hour Employee Assistance Program available 365 days a year.

What impact does rising anxiety and depression have on the construction workforce?
Unaddressed mental health challenges do not fade on their own. They grow, and they can lead to declining performance, substance use, and higher turnover across the industry. Nearly two-thirds of U.S. construction workers experienced anxiety or depression in 2025, a sharp increase from 54% just one year prior, according to the National Alliance on Mental Illness. Helix Electric treats mental health as a fundamental component of its safety culture, recognizing that a supported workforce is also a more stable and productive one.

What is the difference between a physical safety program and a mental health safety program in construction?
Physical safety programs and mental health support programs follow the same fundamental logic: recognize hazards, prevent incidents, and manage the ones that occur. The tools differ, but the systematic approach does not, and companies that apply the same rigor to mental health as they do to physical safety are better positioned to protect their entire workforce. Helix Electric integrates mental health directly into its safety plan, treating it not as a separate concern but as a core element of a comprehensive safety culture.

How can site supervisors recognize early warning signs of mental health struggles in their crews?
Field leaders can often sense when something is wrong, and early warning signs include increased irritability, withdrawal from coworkers, declining job performance, shifts in mood, and statements suggesting hopelessness. Without the right training, leaders may inadvertently avoid the very conversations that could make a difference. Helix Electric equips its site leaders to identify these behavioral changes and connect workers with appropriate resources before a situation reaches a crisis point.

How does financial stress affect mental health among construction workers?
Financial stress ranks among the most persistent sources of anxiety for construction workers, and unaddressed financial pressure compounds the effects of other workplace stressors. Programs that help workers build long-term financial stability play a meaningful role in reducing mental health risk before it escalates. Helix Electric offers retirement planning and financial wellness resources as part of its broader mental health support system, recognizing that financial security and emotional well-being are directly connected.

Which employee support programs are most effective for reducing mental health risk in construction?
The most effective mental health support combines immediate professional access with programs that address the full range of stressors workers face, including physical health, social connection, and financial well-being. Employee Assistance Programs that provide around-the-clock support are among the most impactful tools, particularly when paired with flexible leave policies and community-building programs. Helix Electric’s mental health resource network includes a 24-hour EAP, a wellness program, the Helix Helping Hands community involvement program, flexible paid time off, and retirement and financial planning resources.