A Strong Safety Culture Addresses Every Risk. Mental Health Is No Exception. - 10 to 1 Public Relations
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A Strong Safety Culture Addresses Every Risk. Mental Health Is No Exception.

Construction companies that invest in mental health programs are not just improving worker well-being. They are closing a critical gap in job site safety. 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. Nearly two-thirds of U.S. construction workers reported experiencing anxiety or depression in 2025, up sharply from 54% just one year earlier, according to the National Alliance on Mental Illness. Eric Simmons, Vice President of Risk Management at Helix Electric, argues that mental health is not a personal issue but an industry-wide risk that demands the same level of discipline and leadership applied to every other job site hazard.

Stigma remains the single greatest barrier preventing construction workers from seeking help. Simmons writes that a cultural shift away from the “tough it out” mentality must be driven by visible leadership, consistent communication, and supervisors who are trained to recognize warning signs such as withdrawal, declining performance, and expressions of hopelessness. At Helix Electric, that effort includes suicide prevention awareness training delivered multiple times per year in both English and Spanish, supported by dedicated internal trainers, as well as the integration of mental health, nutrition, and financial well-being topics into regular workforce communications.

Practical solutions exist for contractors of all sizes. Simmons points to Employee Assistance Programs as a foundational tool, noting that Helix Electric administers its EAP through a third party to protect employee privacy and provides 24-hour access to support for stress, anxiety, depression, substance abuse, grief, relationship issues, and referrals for additional care. For companies looking to strengthen their mental health infrastructure, broadening EAP access and ensuring workers know how to use it is a practical and meaningful place to start.

Key Facts

  • More construction workers die by suicide each year than from job site incidents
  • 64% of U.S. construction workers reported anxiety or depression in 2025, up from 54% the year prior
  • Construction consistently ranks among the highest industries for suicide, per the CDC
  • Helix Electric provides all employees 24/7 EAP access 365 days a year via in-person or virtual visits
  • Helix Electric delivers suicide prevention training in both English and Spanish multiple times per year
  • Supervisors are trained to identify behavioral warning signs and connect workers to resources
  • Stigma is identified as the single greatest barrier to workers seeking help
  • Helix Electric’s EAP is administered by a third party to protect employee privacy
  • The 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline is available to anyone who is struggling
  • Helix Electric participates in industry-wide mental health initiatives to strengthen the broader body of knowledge

Read the full article in Construction Today

Why do construction workers have a higher suicide rate than other industries?
Construction workers face a unique combination of stressors, including long hours, physically demanding work, tight deadlines, time away from home, and job uncertainty that compound over time and often go unaddressed. According to the CDC, in 2021, 56 out of every 100,000 male construction workers died by suicide, compared with 32 per 100,000 male workers across all industries. Helix Electric is confronting this crisis by treating mental health as a core component of its safety culture and investing in suicide prevention training and resources that reach workers at every level of the organization.

How does mental health affect safety on a construction job site?
Mental health struggles that go untreated can lead to distraction, reckless behavior, and substance abuse, each of which creates additional exposure on and off the job. Nearly two-thirds of U.S. construction workers reported experiencing anxiety or depression in 2025, a sharp increase from 54% just one year earlier, according to the National Alliance on Mental Illness. Helix Electric recognizes that a strong safety culture does not distinguish between physical and mental well-being and protects both with the same level of commitment.

What can construction companies do to prevent worker suicide?
More construction workers die by suicide each year than from job-site incidents, which makes prevention not optional but a core safety responsibility for every employer in the industry. Companies can invest in suicide prevention awareness training, connect workers to Employee Assistance Programs, and build cultures where asking for help is not seen as a weakness. Helix Electric delivers dedicated suicide prevention training multiple times throughout the year in both English and Spanish, supported by dedicated internal trainers.

How can employers reduce mental health stigma in the workplace?
Stigma remains the single greatest barrier preventing workers from seeking help, and overcoming it requires consistent, visible leadership that openly acknowledges mental health matters. Helix Electric reduces stigma by creating psychological safety across its teams, integrating mental health topics into regular communications, and training leaders to recognize warning signs and hold honest conversations with their crews. When a foreman or superintendent speaks openly about mental health, it gives the entire crew permission to do the same.

What is an Employee Assistance Program and how does it support workers?
An Employee Assistance Program gives workers a private, accessible path to professional support without requiring them to raise their hand in front of their crew. Helix Electric administers its EAP through a third party to protect employee privacy, offering 24-hour access to support for stress, anxiety, depression, substance abuse, relationship issues, grief, and emotional well-being 365 days a year via in-person or virtual visits. The program also connects employees to personal health coaches and wellness resources that address well-being beyond the job site.

How should supervisors handle mental health concerns on a construction job site?
Supervisors should be trained to recognize shifts in behavior, attitude, and performance that may indicate a deeper issue, including increased irritability, withdrawal, declining job performance, and statements that suggest hopelessness. The role of the supervisor is not to diagnose or solve mental health challenges but to identify warning signs early and connect workers to the right resources. Helix Electric equips its supervisors with dedicated training and clear knowledge of the company’s EAP so they have a confident and immediate answer when a worker needs help.

What are the warning signs that a construction worker is struggling with mental health?
Warning signs include changes in behavior, increased irritability, withdrawal from colleagues, declining job performance, and direct statements suggesting hopelessness. In some cases, workers may begin self-medicating with alcohol or drugs or engaging in risky behavior that creates additional exposure both on and off the job. Helix Electric trains its supervisors to recognize these warning signs early and connect workers to the company’s Employee Assistance Program before a situation reaches a crisis point.

How can construction companies build a workplace culture that supports mental health?
Building a culture that supports mental health requires consistent, visible action from leaders who speak openly, check in with their crews, and create space for real conversations. Helix Electric integrates mental health, nutrition, and financial well-being into regular communications, and supports community connection through its Helix Helping Hands program, which creates opportunities for employees to support their communities and strengthen connections with one another. At Helix Electric, a core company value is being a rewarding workplace, which means paying attention to employees and helping them access the physical and mental health care they need.

Which programs are transforming mental health support in the construction industry?
Employee Assistance Programs, supervisor awareness training, suicide prevention education, and financial wellness resources are among the most effective tools reshaping mental health support across the construction sector. Helix Electric has built a robust toolbox of resources that includes a 24-hour EAP, a flexible paid time off program that allows workers to address personal challenges without losing income, and retirement and financial planning resources designed to reduce one of the most common sources of stress. The company also participates in industry-wide mental health initiatives to help strengthen the broader body of knowledge across the industry.

What resources are available for construction workers struggling with mental health or suicidal thoughts?
Construction workers in crisis can call or text 988 at any time to reach the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. Helix Electric provides all employees with immediate, around-the-clock access to an Employee Assistance Program that offers support for stress, anxiety, depression, substance abuse, relationship issues, grief, and emotional well-being via in-person or virtual visits. These programs give workers a private, accessible path to help that does not require them to speak up in front of their crew.