Limited budgets. Tough deadlines. Demanding clients. Complex building systems. Long days. Hard work. Time and time again our operations, preconstruction and business services teams answer the call of duty to build what matters. All the while juggling other demands outside of work. This can take its toll on our physical \u2014 and mental \u2014 health.<\/p>\n
While the focus on physical safety is paramount to Saunders, the mental health of our workers can be overlooked. However, there is a growing recognition of the importance of mental health initiatives in the construction industry and at Saunders. Addressing mental health concerns not only enhance the overall wellbeing of our teammates, but also improve physical safety, productivity and overall job satisfaction.<\/p>\n
Some industries have higher\u00a0suicide rates than others and are\u00a0more impacted. The industries most\u00a0impacted include most male-dominated\u00a0industries like construction,\u00a0mining, and oil and gas. Statistics\u00a0reveal the severity of the mental\u00a0health crisis in the construction sector. According to the Centers\u00a0for Disease Control, construction\u00a0has one of the highest suicide rate\u00a0of all industries, at 43.6 suicides\u00a0per 100,000 workers*. Additionally,\u00a0the studies show workers in\u00a0the construction field experience\u00a0higher rates of\u00a0anxiety, depression\u00a0and addiction\u00a0compared to other\u00a0industries. This\u00a0information underscores\u00a0the urgent\u00a0need for mental\u00a0health initiatives to support workers in\u00a0this industry.<\/p>\n
\u201cMental health\u00a0programs and policies\u00a0help ensure\u00a0there is a standard\u00a0for the long term\u00a0and not just at the whim of a couple\u00a0of passionate workers,\u201d said Dr.\u00a0Sally Spencer-Thomas, clinical psychologist\u00a0and mental health advocate.\u00a0\u201cMental health programs can\u00a0include general awareness training,\u00a0manager training, peer support programs\u00a0and mental health resource\u00a0benefits. Organizations that have\u00a0these policies and programs should\u00a0then make sure that they are well socialized\u00a0throughout the workforce.\u201d<\/p>\n
Partnered with Spencer-Thomas,\u00a0Saunders Construction is implementing\u00a0a mental health initiative\u00a0intertwined with and at the same\u00a0level as our physical health safety\u00a0program.<\/p>\n
Downstream practices help organizations\u00a0make sure that the mental\u00a0health resources that they are offering their workers understand\u00a0how to help people experiencing\u00a0suicide intensity, how to respond\u00a0in a crisis while at the same time\u00a0upholding workers\u2019 dignity and providing\u00a0collaboration in their recovery.<\/p>\n
Recently, United Suicide Survivors\u00a0International, with the support of\u00a0the American Foundation for Suicide\u00a0Prevention and the Workplace\u00a0Suicide Prevention Committee has\u00a0developed a new H.O.P.E. certification.\u00a0H.O.P.E. stands for \u201cHelping Our\u00a0People Elevate through tough times.\u201d\u00a0Saunders Construction is one of 10\u00a0organizations that was selected to\u00a0pilot this 12-month program in Colorado.\u00a0This program recently completed\u00a0its inaugural pilot in the state\u00a0of New York with much success in\u00a0the construction industry.<\/p>\n
The benefits of mental health initiatives\u00a0include:<\/p>\n
\u201cNo matter who you are or what\u00a0your job responsibilities are, we\u00a0want to create a culture of care for\u00a0all. We want everyone to develop\u00a0the skills to notice the signs when\u00a0someone may need a little extra\u00a0support,\u201d said Ame Muniz, director\u00a0of learning and development at\u00a0Saunders Construction.<\/p>\n
*Per McIntosh WL, Spies E, Stone DM,\u00a0<\/i>Lokey CN, Trudeau AT, Bartholow B.\u00a0<\/i>Suicide Rates by Occupational Group\u00a0<\/i>\u2014 17 States, 2012. MMWR Morb Mortal\u00a0<\/i>Wkly Rep 2016;65:641\u2013645. DOI:\u00a0<\/i>http:\/\/dx.doi.org\/10.15585\/mmwr.<\/i>mm6525a1external icon. This rate\u00a0<\/i>includes males only. Rates were not\u00a0<\/i>calculated where the decedents (i.e.,\u00a0<\/i>female) were fewer than 20 because\u00a0<\/i>those estimates might be unreliable.<\/i><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Limited budgets. Tough deadlines. Demanding clients. Complex building systems. Long days. Hard work. Time and time again our operations, preconstruction and business services teams answer the call of duty to build what matters. All the while juggling other demands outside of work. This can take its toll on our physical \u2014 and mental \u2014 health. […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":19,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"inline_featured_image":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[51],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-7095","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-blog"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\n