A friend recently sent me a link to a New York Times article titled “A Construction Worker’s Suicide Highlights a Wider Crisis” focusing on suicide in the construction industry. She asked if I’d read it and was curious how closely it mirrored what day-to-day life in airfield construction is really like.
What struck me most wasn’t the numbers or statistics. Rather, it was how deeply familiar the experiences felt.
The long days.
The high pressure.
The unspoken expectation to “just get through it.”
These are realities most of us in construction have seen or lived.
Right after reading the article, I felt compelled to reach out directly to our team.
I posted a message on our internal board reminding everyone that if they’re not doing okay, it’s always alright to reach out to me or someone they trust, and that we will work together to find help.
Not later.
Not when things feel more manageable.
Now.
That’s because we aren’t ignoring the reality here at Alder: the construction industry has some of the highest rates of suicide in any occupation.
And we want to change that.
Now.
Stress in the construction professions doesn’t exist in a vacuum
In our work, it can feel like you’re either on a ten- to twelve-hour day or you’re not working at all. The pace can be relentless when deadlines tighten or multiple projects converge.
And because every airfield is a little different, every work environment is unique and carries an undercurrent of stress and surprise.
Job security, underemployment, or other big uncertainty can also weigh heavily. Think about your own life, the many challenges and obstacles that come up in your daily life. Perhaps it’s getting the kids to soccer practice on time while making sure the mortgage gets sent on time, and dinner is on the table, all while managing the stresses of modern life!
Compounding myriad emotional and physical burdens, people carry to work internalized stress such as family pressures, financial concerns, health challenges, and grief. When the demands of the job pile on top of everything else, the weight can quickly become overwhelming.
A crisis reflected in the data
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), construction and extraction workers consistently experience some of the highest suicide rates of any major occupation in the United States.
In 2021, the suicide rate among male construction workers was 56.0 deaths per 100,000 workers, far higher than the national average for working adults.
Further analysis from The Center for Construction Research and Training (CPWR) shows that although construction workers make up only about 7.4% of the U.S. workforce, they account for nearly 18% of suicide deaths where industry was known.
Struggling does not equate to weakness
One of the most harmful misconceptions in construction is that struggling means failing. It doesn’t. Public-health experts note that factors like irregular hours, economic uncertainty, chronic pain or injury, substance use, and a culture that discourages vulnerability all contribute to elevated suicide risk.
When people don’t feel safe admitting they’re struggling because they fear it could affect their job, reputation, or future work, they stay silent, and that silence can be dangerous.
Real safety includes mental health
Construction has made enormous progress in physical safety. PPE, hazard mitigation, and planning save lives every day. But safety has to extend beyond the physical. Mental health is part of safety. I won’t stop saying it.
Leadership, culture, and connection matter. Talking openly about stress, acknowledging the realities of workload and uncertainty, and making space for honest conversations can save lives.
Talking about suicide and mental health may feel uncomfortable, but avoiding the conversation is far more dangerous. If this piece leads to one check-in, one honest conversation, or one person reaching out for help, it matters. Because real safety protects the whole person.
Organizations such as Hard Hat Courage, an initiative of the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, report that construction has the second-highest suicide rate of all U.S. industries, behind only mining. These numbers represent people, not just statistics. They are our crews, our families, and our communities.
If you or someone you work with is struggling, help is available. In the United States, you can call or text 988, the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, available 24/7, free and confidential.
Article sources
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Suicide Rates by Industry and Occupation, United States (2021–2022)
https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/72/wr/mm7250a2.htm
CPWR – The Center for Construction Research and Training, Suicides Among Construction Workers in the United States
https://www.cpwr.com/research/research-to-practice-r2p
American Foundation for Suicide Prevention / Hard Hat Courage
https://hardhatcourage.com
National Action Alliance for Suicide Prevention, Construction Industry Resources