Building Wellness

Transforming the Construction Industry from the Inside Out

Think, Work, Live Big: This month’s Big Idea delves into the critical role of wellness in the construction industry, focusing on mental and physical health. We explore innovative solutions to create a healthier, more supportive work environment for everyone.

"Safety is not just about hard hats and steel-toed boots; it's about the mental and emotional well-being of every worker on site." – Marissa Gray, Big-D's Senior Benefits Specialist

Wellness in the construction industry is not just a buzzword; it’s a necessity. With mental health challenges and physical risks prevalent in the field, taking a holistic approach to ensure the well-being of team members, both on and off the job site, is essential.

THINK

The construction industry faces a mental health crisis, with suicide rates alarmingly high. The rate of suicide in construction is six times higher than deaths caused by the "fatal four" hazards, highlighting the urgent need for comprehensive mental health support.

To combat these challenges, effective wellness programs are essential. Partnering with vendors to provide accessible and affordable mental health care can make a significant difference. Programs like Own My Health, which offers health screenings and personalized Health Guides for continuous support, and Tava Health, which ensures employees have access to behavioral health services at no cost, have been vital steps forward within Big-D Construction.

"I think everyone should enroll in this program," said a Big-D team member of their experience with Own My Health, specifically. "It saved me from having potential colon cancer. I would have never scheduled all these tests if I did not talk quarterly with them. It has saved my life in a way that has made me a firm believer that our employer genuinely cares about the health of Big-D employees."

Education and awareness are key to reducing stigma around mental health. Providing suicide prevention training, peer support teams, and various resources fosters an environment where employees feel safe seeking help and support.

WORK

Implementing wellness programs in the construction industry comes with unique challenges. Long hours, high stress, and physical demands contribute to mental and physical health issues. Increasing accessibility to health services and providing education on recognizing and addressing mental health warning signs are crucial steps.

Extensive training helps managers and employees identify and address mental health issues early. By recognizing signs like absenteeism, presenteeism, and deteriorating performance, interventions can be more effective, providing the necessary support promptly.

Wellness initiatives must be inclusive and accessible to all employees, regardless of role or location. Continually seeking feedback ensures programs meet the needs of a diverse workforce, allowing for adjustments to improve accessibility and effectiveness.

LIVE

Wellness programs have a profound impact on employees and the communities they serve. Addressing mental health and providing support improves the well-being of workers and fosters a more positive and productive work environment.

Marissa Gray, Big-D’s Senior Benefits Specialist, shared a deeply personal connection to this cause, drawing from her own experiences and family history in the construction industry. Her dedication to improving mental health resources stems from witnessing the long-term effects of neglecting this crucial aspect of worker well-being.

“If there is any impact, small or large, that I could make to help even one person know that they are not alone and that there is hope and recovery available to them, I wanted to do anything I could to make sure others don’t have to go through the lonely experience I did,” she said.

Creating a supportive and inclusive culture is essential for the success of wellness programs. Encouraging open communication, offering resources for self-care, and providing professional help when needed create a holistic approach that helps employees thrive both personally and professionally.

Wellness in the construction industry is not just about preventing accidents; it's about ensuring the overall health and well-being of the workforce. Addressing mental health, providing comprehensive support, and fostering a culture of openness and care are steps toward setting a new standard for the industry.

How do you think wellness programs can be further improved in the construction industry?

Share your thoughts with us, or reach out to learn more about innovative initiatives and how they can benefit projects and teams.

Focusing on wellness is not just protecting the workforce; it is enhancing the quality and productivity of projects, ensuring a brighter future for the construction industry.

If you or someone you know is struggling, you're not alone.

Here are some resources that can offer support:

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: Call 988 or visit suicidepreventionlifeline.org for 24/7, confidential support.

Mental Health America (MHA): Visit mhanational.org for screening tools, mental health resources, and support groups.

Construction Industry Alliance for Suicide Prevention (CIASP): Visit preventconstructionsuicide.com for resources tailored to the construction industry.