In Oregon, construction companies are taking significant steps to support workers facing mental health challenges. As part of Mental Health Awareness Month, FOX 12 examines the pressing issue of mental health in this physically demanding industry, where workers are six times more likely to die by suicide than from workplace accidents.
Adam Rice, a seasoned construction worker, highlights the toll that the industry takes on mental health. In recent months, he has lost three colleagues to suicide. “We spend more time with each other on site than with our families,” Rice states. The close-knit nature of construction teams makes these losses deeply felt.
Historically, the construction industry has operated under a tough-guy mentality, often ignoring the mental health needs of its workers. However, companies are beginning to change this narrative. One of the key initiatives is the introduction of
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