It’s Okay Not to be Okay
Mental Health Must be a Top Priority
Brothers and Sisters,
Over the years we have had members struggle with taking care of their mental health. Our society, and especially our industry, often promotes toughness and grit. The idea that we can push through any struggle, mental or emotional. But the truth is, life is hard, and at some point every one of us has faced challenges.
The reality is that construction workers suffer some of the highest rates of anxiety and depression and some of the lowest rates of seeking help. The numbers are hard to hear:
- More construction workers die by suicide than by jobsite accidents.
- In 2022, nearly 6,000 construction workers died by suicide — six times more than job-related injuries.
- We’re 3.5 times more likely to take our own lives than workers in other fields.
- Suicide rates for male construction workers are 75% higher than the general population.
- About 15% of tradespeople struggle with substance abuse, double the national average.
- The building trades are 7% of the workforce, but 16% of opioid overdoses.
Yet, while one in five workers will receive a mental health diagnosis, less than half will seek support.
Behind those statistics are real people. Many of us have known a Brother or Sister who has struggled, or worse, lost their life. The long hours, physical toll, financial pressures, and the culture of “toughing it out” all add up. For many, it’s overwhelming. And too often stigma keeps us from speaking up or reaching out.
But we don’t need statistics to know what too many of us have already experienced: the pain of losing someone close to suicide or watching them battle addiction.
Our Local is a family, and we are our Brothers’ and Sisters’ keepers. That means pulling each other up. If you see a Brother or Sister who might be struggling, check in. Don’t worry about saying the wrong thing. The best case is they’re fine. The worst case is that they’re in crisis and no one reached out. That’s why reaching out matters. Sometimes just knowing someone cares can make all the difference.
September is Suicide Prevention Awareness Month, and we want to be clear: It’s OK not to be OK. If you’re struggling, you are not alone. Help is out there, and reaching for it is a sign of strength, not weakness.
We want every Brother and Sister to get the support and treatment they need — to acknowledge and manage their mental wellbeing, overcome the stigma of asking for help, and take steps toward recovery.
If you’re hurting, reach out. Our office can help you find resources. You can also visit our website here for local and national programs you or someone close to you can use to get help.
Let’s keep building a better future together. Let’s build each other up and stand shoulder to shoulder to break the silence around mental health. Let’s make sure no Brother or Sister ever feels they have to face these struggles alone.
In Solidarity,
Stephan Davis
Business Manager
Financial Secretary
