Mental Health in the Construction Industry

Did you know 1 in 5 construction industry workers struggle with anxiety, depression, or other mental health issues? In honor of Mental Health Awareness Month this May, we want to talk about a cornerstone of mental health, resilience, and how to build it in the workplace.

What is Resilience?

Resilience is an effective tool to help you grow your mental STRENGTH muscles and address life’s challenges with confidence. Essentially, resilience utilizes proactive actions to allow you to balance work and life stressors in a positive, healthy manner.

How to Build Resilience?

#1: Pursue Physical Health

Studies have shown that people in good physical health are more resilient, and vice versa. This means taking action to pursue positive health practices like getting plenty of sleep, eating a proper diet, staying hydrated, and exercising regularly.

#2: Being Self-Aware

Being healthy is more than just physical; it is mental as well. Resilient people often demonstrate a good sense of humor, patience, optimism, adaptability, tolerance, and a realistic sense of reality and how they can utilize their resources and experiences to tackle challenging situations.

An important step you can take is self-awareness. If you are aware of when your string is being pulled tight, it is time to pursue mental health and de-stressing techniques, like the following.

#3: Take Time to De-Stress

At the end of the work shift, employees of all types must shake off the stress of the day. How you pursue “destressing” is up to you, but a few ideas are exercising, cooking, gardening, drawing, spending time with loved ones, or even meditating.

What about when stress gets to you during work? This isn’t uncommon and is nothing to be ashamed of, but it can be managed. When you are feeling stressed out at work, it is recommended to take a moment to stop what you are doing, take a moment to breathe, and reframe the threat in your mind as a challenge you can conquer. With a positive mindset, you can do anything!

#4: Build Healthy Connections with Others

Time has shown us again and again that healthy social connections can make a tremendous difference in our physical, mental, and emotional health. Building mental health resilience means building positive connections with coworkers, team leaders, and loved ones outside of the workplace. It is ensuring that you spend time with those dearest to you.

#5: Utilize Mental Health Programs

Workers who demonstrate resilience are often aware of their mental health and how it fluctuates. However, being aware isn’t always enough. Everyone can benefit from mental health assistance in one form or another, so taking advantage of mental health resources to prevent or manage depression, anxiety, and other conditions is recommended for all.

Polk Cares About Your Mental Health

Polk cares about you and your family and provides free resources to you and your covered dependents to help you take care of your mental health.

Through Polk’s healthcare plan, you and your covered dependents have access to 24/7 non-emergency behavioral and mental health needs through MDLIVE. This is a FREE benefit to use any time of day from anywhere you are via mobile app, online video, or telephone. You will have a real-time consultation with a doctor or therapist. To set up your account, go to mdlive.com or visit our Polk Benefits app.