Take a Free, Confidential Screening on Mental Health Action Day Tomorrow
NAHB has joined a coalition of more than 1,000 nonprofits, brands and influential leaders to launch the first-ever Mental Health Action Day, Thursday, May 20, to drive the culture around mental health issues from awareness to action.
NAHB is asking members to take a few minutes tomorrow to take a free, confidential mental health screening developed for the construction industry by our partners at MindWise. The screening asks a few basic questions and can direct participants to additional action if needed.
In the wake of COVID-19, millions of people have uncovered new mental health conditions and millions more have had their existing challenges exacerbated. But even before the pandemic, construction professionals were especially susceptible to mental health issues.
More construction workers die by suicide every year than all workplace-related fatalities combined, with a rate of 43.5 suicides per 100,000 workers, second only to the mining and oil/gas extraction industry. The nature of the work – long days, work seasonality, common minor injuries – and a culture that often dismisses discussion of mental health can compound the stress felt by many in the industry.
NAHB recognizes that trade associations play a key role in shaping the culture of an industry. Now is the time to not only recognize the stress in construction, but to actually do something about it.
Mental Health Action Day was conceived as a point in time to encourage everyone to take a step, even a small one, to assess their own mental health challenges or to help other who might be struggling. If someone reaches out, listen. If you see someone with signs of trouble, reach out to them. Encourage others on your site to take a screening to see if they are showing signs of trouble.
To learn more, NAHB has other mental health and wellbeing resources that have been developed with leading advocacy partners.
For questions about Mental Health Action Day or NAHB’s Member Mental Health and Wellbeing initiative, please contact David Jaffe or Rob Matuga.