Virginia Tech expert spreads awareness about construction workers’ mental health

ALBEMARLE COUNTY, Va. (WRIC) — An expert from Virginia Tech’s Myers-Lawson School of Construction is spreading awareness about construction workers’ mental health.



According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, the construction industry has one of the highest rates of suicides among professions. Six thousand workers died by suicide in 2022 compared to the 1,000 who died from a construction-related work injury.



Brian Kleiner, the university’s head of the Myers-Lawson School of Construction in the College of Engineering said many factors contribute to instances of suicide, including particular demographics.



“Most construction workers are in the age range where we see the highest rates of suicide nationwide. Many workers are veterans who struggle with PTSD, and some workers engage in substance abuse with opioid-use frequently traced back to suicides. Another consideration is the correlation between physical and mental health, which can have a domino effect,” said Kleiner.



Kleiner further explained that researchers in Australia have shown a relationship between physical pain, like musculoskeletal disorders and mental health disorders.



“The problem is somewhat cyclical: Workers are in pain. Their mental health is affected, which in turn decreases their performance. This leads to increased problems on the job that compounds mental health problems, and so on,” Kleiner said.



To counteract high suicide rates, Kleiner recommends that employers provide successful interventions like lenient leave policies and having counselors available, ideally 24/7.



Kleiner further urged that employers be trained in crisis management, including the ability to detect problems before they escalate.

Virginia Tech expert spreads awareness about construction workers’ mental health