Mental health is an often overlooked but very important aspect of the construction industry. The physical risks are well known, but the mental health risks are not always taken into consideration.
Working in construction can be very stressful, between the long hours, extreme temperatures, and the everyday dangers of the tasks being performed. When mental health issues such as anxiety and depression are added, the combination can begin to affect one’s ability to work and may lead to burnout, decreased productivity, and low morale.
It is very important that the construction industry begin to implement better measures to provide mental health resources and support to ensure not just the physical safety of their employees but their mental health as well. This is why Bolander has partnered with Trent Williams of Bearing Point Wellness, a mental safety consulting agency, to become the first construction company in the United States to have a Mental Health First Aid Certified Foreman or Supervisor on every Bolander construction site. All supervising staff in the office are certified as well. Requiring this training will not only keep our job sites more productive, but it will also keep our crews and the companies that we work with safer.
We consider ourselves a family here at Bolander, and we want to create a culture where our employees can feel comfortable, safe, and supported in every aspect of their work lives.
Linked below is a blog post written by Trent Williams of BPM Wellness that discusses the importance of mental health training in the construction industry.