Safety on the job is paramount to keeping roofing contractors safe, whether it’s strapping on fall protection equipment or proper ladder usage. But there is another, often overlooked danger that, if left unchecked, can lead to tragedy.

Mental health concerns in the construction industry are growing due to ranking second highest in suicide rates among major industries. The American Psychiatric Association states in a 2021 study that 90% of people who die by suicide have a mental health condition.

It's an issue the industry needs to face, said National Roofing Contractors Association CEO McKay Daniels, during the 2023 Best of Success conference. 

“This is happening in our industry,” Daniels said. “We’re playing catchup, but we’re going to do it in a hurry and bend this curve down.”

To prevent such tragedies, International Roofing Expo attendees are encouraged to attend “It Takes More Than a Hard Hat to Keep a Head Safe: Mental Health Awareness for the Roofing Industry.” The session, led by Mandy McIntyre, owner of Level Up Consultants, will educate attendees on how to identify warnings signs of mental health issues and address them.

McIntyre serves on the Construction Suicide Prevention Taskforce, collaborating with OSHA and other supporters in the industry to promote mental health awareness. She is a registered Mental Health First Aid instructor through the National Council for Mental Wellbeing.

Prior to her consulting business, McIntyre was vice president of an Ohio-based roofing company, where she worked for nearly 10 years.

WHAT YOU WILL GET:

• Better awareness of the dangers and hazards that aren’t visible
• Learning how to identify warning signs of mental health issues
• What steps to take before tragedy strikes