The inherent danger of being a roofer is well known; the field is often ranked as one of the top three deadliest civilian occupations, according to Bureau of Labor Statistics data, with falls being the leading cause of injury and death.

Yet, something just as fatal — but preventable, partially due to its remaining shrouded in stigma — continues claiming the lives of too many construction workers. As May comes to a close, designated as "Mental Health Awareness Month" since 1949, isn't it time that the shroud is finally lifted? 

Using the most recent data, in 2022, roughly 6,000 construction workers died by suicide, compared to 1,000 who died due to construction-related safety incidents, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

It’s a sobering statistic that means roofing and construction workers are more likely to die by their own hand than in an accident on the job.  

The stress of roofing and construction work can lead to burnout and anxiety, and far too often, workers fail to seek the help they need. It’s more urgent than ever that the industry address mental health issues lest the unthinkable occur.

Fighting the Stigma

One of the largest barriers in the construction industry is the stigma associated with admitting weakness or problems.

A 2021 survey of 1,175 construction workers and professionals from around the country showed the top four reasons why workers may not seek help, including shame and stigma (78%), fear of judgment by peers (77%), fear of negative job consequences (55%), and don’t know how to access care (46%).

During a presentation on the state of the roofing industry at the 2024 Best of Success conference, National Roofing Contractors Association CEO McKay Daniels addressed this, noting that the term “mental health” often carries a negative reputation in an industry known for its toughness and stoic grit.

“Mental health is a loaded term of ‘Is it some woke thing of let’s do a trust circle and run through a field or something or practice deep breathing?’” he said. “This is very serious in a way that is, in fact, impacting your companies, even if you’re not thinking about it or aware of it.”

He pointed out that roofing companies dedicate resources to keeping workers safe while on the job with fall protection, from toolbox talks to investing in the proper equipment. Considering how many more lives mental health issues claim due to suicide, contractors should consider it just as important an issue to address.

“There’s ways that you can take steps in a way that fits with your company culture, in a way that fits with our industry’s culture,” he said.

According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness, approximately one in five adults experiences mental illness. When examining demographics, 23.9% of non-Hispanic whites have a mental illness; 20.7% of Hispanic and Latino people have mental illness issues; and 21.4% of Black or African-Americans have mental health problems.

In construction, only 4.8% of workers reported seeing a mental health professional in the past 12 months, according to a 2024 report from the Center for Construction and Research.

“Mental health continues to disproportionately impact workers in the construction industry, with approximately one in six (15.4%) reporting anxiety or depression, and of these workers, only 15.7% reported seeing a mental health professional in the past 12 months,” the report said.

Overall, 84.3% of construction workers with anxiety or depression based on symptoms or medication didn’t see a mental health professional in the past year. When asked why they didn’t seek help, 3.7% said it was due to costs, while 3.6% said they delayed going due to costs, demonstrating a need for resources.

Preventing Suicide

Among construction workers, there were 5.3 times as many suicide deaths as fatal work injuries in 2022, according to the Center for Construction and Research report.

“It’s not a cheery topic, but it is something that we need to be talking about,” Daniels said.

By age, suicide deaths were 3.2 times higher among construction workers aged 16 to 24 years than among all construction workers.

Firearms account for 53.3% of suicides among construction workers in 2022, followed by suffocation at 34.3%.

Non-Hispanic and male workers have slightly higher percentages of overdose and suicide deaths compared to all construction workers. Overdose deaths were 2.2 times higher among those 25 to 34 years old than among all construction workers. The Center for Construction and Research report shows that the most common drugs used in overdoses are synthetic opioids.

Finding Resources

McKay Daniels, CEO of the National Roofing Contractors Association.

As an NRCA video about mental health says about roofers: “We’re built tough, but are we tough enough to admit when it’s too much? Strong enough to say, ‘I need help?’”

“Roofing takes care of the communities … but we also take care of our own,” Daniels said. “These are people that you spend more time with, sometimes, than your own family.”

The NRCA has committed to providing resources to roofing companies regarding mental health. It has a dedicated webpage linking to a multitude of education programs, toolbox talks, and resources like the 988 National Suicide Prevention Hotline.

For those seeking mental health services, the NRCA encourages companies with employee assistance programs to see if they offer therapy services in their insurance network. NRCA members gain access to Perspectives, an EAP that offers mental health and wellness for employees.

“At a minimum, you need to have that culture in your DNA that your employees know they’ve got somebody at work that has their back,” he said.

Regarding substance abuse issues, Roofers in Recovery offers people in need resources to stabilize their lives through treatment programs. Other construction-related resources include Construction Working Minds, established to increase industry awareness and support.

Lines for Life, a nonprofit dedicated to preventing substance abuse and suicide and promoting mental wellness, recently teamed up with construction contractors to launch the Construction CareLine, a free, confidential support service available 24 hours a day for construction workers and their families.

“We’ve come together as an industry because safety has always been our shared priority — and mental health is the next critical step,” said Katie Coulson, chair of the General Contractor peer group and Executive Vice President – General Manager of Skanska Advanced Technology for USA Building.

“This partnership is about raising awareness on suicide and removing the stigma around conversations that address mental health,” she added. “I’m proud to stand with other leaders to save lives, promote mental wellness, and support our workforce.”

The Construction CareLine can be reached at 833-444-6020 and 503-433-7878 for Oregon-based callers.