DIMONDALE, Mich. — The Michigan construction industry is confronting a silent crisis: the rising number of suicides among construction workers. Leaders and advocates are calling for open conversations about mental health to reduce stigma and improve worker safety.

At a construction site event in Dimondale, speakers highlighted how the pressures of the industry—tight deadlines, physically demanding labor, and high-stress work environments—contribute to anxiety, depression, and other mental health challenges.

“Tight deadlines. They have a lot of things that they’re up against as workers in the industry. It isn’t easy work. It’s very labor-intensive. And I think that those are things that cause anxiety and depression and that lead to mental health issues,” said a site speaker addressing the crowd.

Mental health challenges extend beyond the workplace. Mark Dyke of Ferris State University explained that personal struggles can affect safety and performance on the job.

“Maybe they’re going through a rough time in a relationship or they got a loved one or an elderly parent that is ill,” Dyke said. “Their mind is not focused on the job. And now they become unsafe because they’re not paying attention to what they’re doing, and that only puts them at risk, but also the people they’re working with at risk.”

Workers on site, like Richard Vanwhy of Gunthorpe Plumbing and Heating, noted that appearances can be deceiving.

“Everybody looks like they’re ok out there, but they might not be, and nobody’s going to come up and say what they’re telling you or thinking,” Vanwhy said. He stressed that these events serve a vital purpose: informing workers about the resources available to them today that were not widely accessible in the past.

“Know that they can make a phone call and have help or a hotline that maybe wasn’t there 20 years ago because people didn’t want to deal with it,” Vanwhy added.

Industry Initiatives and Community Support

Construction advocates say that normalizing conversations about mental health can prevent crises and create safer workplaces. Organizations across Michigan are now implementing suicide prevention programs, wellness workshops, and confidential support hotlines to assist workers struggling with mental health challenges.

These initiatives also aim to educate supervisors and co-workers on identifying early warning signs of distress, encouraging peer support, and reducing the stigma associated with seeking help.

“Tackling mental health head-on is not just a personal benefit, it’s a professional one,” said Dyke. “A workforce that feels supported and understood is safer, more productive, and ultimately saves lives.”

The Michigan construction industry’s spotlight on mental health comes as part of National Suicide Prevention Month, and leaders are urging companies to make such programs a permanent part of workplace culture.

For those in need of immediate support, the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline is available nationwide, providing confidential assistance 24/7.

Originally reported by Rachel Fulton in WILX.