Construction Safety Week: Building a “Culture of Care”
According to the Associated General Contractors of America, the construction industry has the highest rate of suicide, four times greater than the national average and five times greater than that of all the other construction fatalities combined.
Though it’s best practice to discuss throughout the entire year, Construction Safety Week offers an opportunity to emphasize the importance of keeping industry professionals both physically and mentally safe.
Project Accountant (KA-Bemidji) Lyndsey Moe is passionate about her work with suicide prevention. Read below to hear more about this topic and learn how you can build a “Culture of Care” within your company.
Tell us about your advocacy work. How did you get involved? Why is this work important to you?
LM: I’ve been a member of the Construction Financial Management Associate (CFMA) for a number of years. When working from home during COVID, I attended a Zoom meeting on the topic of suicide prevention. The speaker talked about what members of the organization can do to better help the national organization or their local chapter and how to get involved, with an emphasis on “We all stand together.” With that spark, I decided to join the CFMA National Committee on Suicide Prevention. As a group, we identify ways that corporations can create a more caring culture, provide resources for employees, assess the readiness of companies to assist with suicidal employees, and prepare for crisis response.
As an employee in the construction industry for roughly 20 years, I didn’t initially realize the very high rate of workers that die by suicide. I didn’t need to be someone who studied psychology or even have a personal story relating to suicide to participate in advocacy work. All I needed was a passion to take action and integrate mental health and suicide prevention practices into the workplace culture. I wanted to ‘STAND UP’ for suicide prevention. The construction industry is made up of individuals with strength, grit, and determination. However, these traits can, at times, be a barrier to asking for help. I want people to know that resources and help are within reach. I believe in building a “Culture of Care.”
It’s Construction Safety Week. How are you showing individuals that you care about both their physical and mental well-being?
LM: Construction Safety Week is a great time to bring further awareness of this issue. At times, beginning the “dialogue” with people is difficult. Emails to raise awareness of the issue can be a great way to start. MetLife’s 21st Annual Employee Benefits Trend Survey shows that employees who feel cared for by their employer feel healthier than those who feel an absence of care. Companies can do something as simple as a blog, a Toolbox Talk, and participating in Safety Week to let people know about resources or who to contact if help is wanted or needed.
Throughout the year, I demonstrate care by maintaining a positive attitude, showing gratitude, and listening actively. I want my coworkers to know that I value their contributions. This helps to build better interpersonal relationships and a sense of community that can anchor or steady people in difficult times.
In your opinion, what factors play a role in the high rates of suicide and mental health problems in the construction industry?
LM: “Tough-guy culture” and the stigma around mental health are some common factors that play a role in the construction industry’s high rates of suicide. Often, individuals don’t feel comfortable sharing their emotions because it could make them look “weak.” Quite the opposite is true. I, as well as others in the industry, seek to create an environment where feelings, both positive and negative, can be talked about and well received. Additionally, chronic pain/injury caused by manual labor, separation from family due to travel, high pressure with schedules and performance, and access to means of suicide, such as high places and large equipment, are also factors (Construction Industry Alliance). As part of the CFMA National Committee on Suicide Prevention, we try to identify ways to minimize these risk factors and support individuals.
How can Kraus-Anderson and our industry partners be proactive in suicide prevention and treatment?
LM: Offer help and support. Feeling connected with others is crucial for people who may be experiencing depression or might be considering suicide. We need to look for warning signs, one of which is workplace performance. A decrease in problem-solving ability, self-confidence, and productivity, as well as an increase in tardiness/absenteeism, conflict among coworkers, and near incidents or injuries, can be indicators. The basic steps towards addressing mental health and suicide prevention are to first understand the issue, share information and educate your employees, and make resources available to employees and their families. Visit Prevent Construction Suicide for training and resources on normalizing the conversation. Build a trusting and supportive work environment. It’s especially important during difficult times because it helps teams feel safe, connected, and motivated.
Construction is a demanding career that comes with the potential for contributing factors that tie to mental health challenges. To better address this threat to the well-being of employees / trade partners and remain proactive in de-stigmatizing mental health challenges, Kraus-Anderson formed a Mental Health Task Force comprised of employees representing a cross-section of our roles and functions.
Kraus-Anderson does a good job of making employees feel valued. They genuinely show interest in their employees’ overall well-being, through healthcare coverage, wellness offerings, team lunches, social events, and commitment to professional growth and development. Kraus-Anderson makes it known that our work has a purpose and that they care about us as people.
What advice do you have for someone who is struggling and doesn’t know how or where to seek help?
LM: If you or someone you know is at risk or struggling, text/call the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline (988) or the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (1-800-273-8255). Additionally, look into your company’s Employee Assistance Program (EAP). Utilize your resources. Reach out if help is needed. If someone opens up to you, listen. Be prepared to ask the hard questions. Asking an individual if he/she is considering suicide is difficult. It takes courage, but it could save a life. Let the individual know you’re there to help. The world is a better place because he/she is in it. Always be supportive and nonjudgmental.
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