Michigan Boosts Mental Health Support for Construction Workers

LANSING, Mich. — Michigan is ramping up efforts to tackle one of the most pressing challenges facing the construction industry: mental health and suicide prevention. During Construction Suicide Prevention Week (Sept. 8–12, 2025), the Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity’s (LEO) Michigan Occupational Safety and Health Administration (MIOSHA) partnered with construction firms, trade associations, and safety advocates to promote awareness, provide resources, and build a stronger culture of care across job sites.

“Our mission is to protect workers and support employers in creating safe and healthy workplaces across the state,” said Sean Egan, LEO deputy director of labor. “Every worker deserves the support to thrive. In construction, where suicide rates are highest, we must break stigma, raise awareness, and give employees and their employers the tools and resources they need to stay healthy, safe and strong.”

The construction industry remains one of the hardest hit by mental health challenges. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, nearly 6,000 construction workers died by suicide in 2022, a rate almost four times higher than the general population. Michigan alone saw 175 suicides among construction workers that year, all involving men, reflecting the vulnerability of a workforce that is more than 90% male. With over 206,000 construction workers statewide, the push for better mental health resources is urgent.

Bart Pickelman, MIOSHA director, emphasized that the problem can no longer be ignored:
“Suicide remains a serious, often overlooked problem in construction, with tragic consequences for workers and their families. By strengthening connections on the jobsite and encouraging open conversations, we can reduce risks and build a culture of care across the industry.”

The initiative is backed by major industry partners, including The Christman Company, a Lansing-based contractor currently leading construction of Michigan’s new 300,000-square-foot public health and environmental science laboratory in Dimondale. With nearly 200 tradespeople working on the $ project, Christman’s leadership stressed that safety includes both physical and mental health.

“At Christman, we don’t just talk about safety. It’s part of who we are,” said Don Staley, senior vice president and safety director at The Christman Company. “Our people are our top priority, and that means looking out for their physical safety as well as supporting their mental health. Suicide prevention is part of that commitment. By teaming up with MIOSHA and our partners across the industry, we are working to break the silence, end the stigma, and make sure every worker knows they are supported and never alone.”

The campaign’s theme of “building community” encourages workers and employers to actively check in with each other, reducing isolation and creating a culture where it is safe to seek help. Events during the week included jobsite visits, awareness banners signed by construction crews pledging “Together, we can save lives,” and workshops connecting tradespeople with counseling resources.

For many in the industry, the initiative resonates deeply. Mark Dyke, professor in Ferris State University’s Construction Technology and Management Program and licensed therapist, explained the significance of treating mental health as a workplace safety issue:
“As someone who has spent decades in construction and now works as a licensed therapist, I’ve seen firsthand how important it is to treat mental health as part of jobsite safety. The men and women who build our communities face unique pressures that too often go unspoken. By raising awareness and providing tools for support, we can save lives and create a stronger, healthier construction industry.”

Construction Suicide Prevention Week is held each September as part of National Suicide Prevention Month, aligning with broader efforts to promote hope, encourage open dialogue, and normalize mental health support. For Michigan’s workers, the message is clear: safety isn’t just about hard hats and harnesses—it’s also about ensuring no worker feels alone in their struggles.

Originally reported by Labor and Economic Opportunity in Michigan Government.