Working in the construction sector and handling heavy construction equipment has always been a tough job. It requires muscles, along with skill and knowledge of the machine.

The construction vehicle industry has always been known for its toughest tasks and exterior. Operating the giant machinery and the longest hour shift job.

Yet, just below the tough outward image is a silent problem that’s taking lives and disrupting teams across the nation. Mental health problems in the sector that lead to suicide.

People, especially those who work in the construction industry, are finally paying more attention to this mental health crisis. How emotionally and mentally tough construction workers’ jobs can be. As a result of an expanding movement in the industry, both employers and workers are responding.

An important achievement along the way is the International Construction Working Minds Summit, which is held yearly to focus on these vital issues.

A Wake-Up Call for the Industry

Addiction, overdose and suicide are much more common in the construction vehicle industry than in most other jobs. Frequent stress, long workdays, physical hardships, and being alone for long periods can together create mental health problems for first responders.

Until now, efforts have mainly been on physical safety checking that people wear hard hats and avoiding injuries. Which is also very important for many tough jobs.

However, in the current situation, we must not forget to work on the mental health of the industry workers. If the worker of a construction vehicle operator is not mentally well, their performance level eventually becomes low.

We need to address mental health more frequently. But still, the topic of conversation is evolving. Feeling well emotionally is now equally important as wearing steel-toed boots and safety vests.

What Is the Working Minds Summit?

The Summit was set up in 2022 to help people understand mental health and develop solutions within the construction vehicle industry. Since it was first held over two days, the event has increased in both size and effect.

The summit will be back in 2025 for four full days with workshops, training, and programming, all centered on the theme.

The event is organized by United Suicide Survivors International (United Survivors), a nonprofit that brings together people in mental health, survivors, and experts to rethink our approach to suicide and mental health.

Why This Summit Matters

Part of the summit’s purpose is to offer attendees useful guidelines they can implement at their sites and offices. Having this conversation is important, but real action is needed as well. We want to change the culture and make people talk about it.

Dr. Sally Spencer-Thomas, who heads up United Survivors and co-founded the summit, believes the industry is now making progress with mental health.

The industry has always focused on keeping workers safe from harm but is now advancing quickly in dealing with psychological safety.

That forward movement is extremely important. A mentally safe workplace encourages workers to work well, communicate effectively, and remain employed. It’s not only about helping people; it’s also good for companies.

The Mental Toll of Construction Work

What factors cause this industry and the mental health field to work together so poorly?

We can find the answer in the requirements of the job.

• Being tired from running equipment all-day
• Not enough work during slow times or projects that finish
• The fact that being emotional is sometimes stigmatized in fields where men are most common
• Being distant from relatives because of work duties, far from home
• Being able to obtain addictive substances, such as pain medications, because of injuries
• If the stressful situations are constant, many workers struggle to get by, and they often have to cope alone.

Industry-Wide Support Growing

It’s heartening that many contractors, equipment firms, and construction businesses are now backing the event and engaging in the discussion.

They’re participating, not only to vote, but because they realize that the way things change starts at the top and comes down through their actions, feelings and guiding rules.

• A growing number of companies are now spending money on:
• Courses on how to provide mental health first aid
• Peer-to-peer networks
• Freedom to use your time off when it works for you

It’s Time to Focus on Mental Health

The link between mental health and the construction vehicle industry is now obvious. The success of this sector depends on workers and emotional support is equally important as physical support for them.

If you work in the industry, as a worker, manager, or company owner, think about what part you can take. Go to a summit. Start talking to someone about it. Offer support.

Things might move slowly, but with each new challenge, summit, or story we’re getting closer to our goal.