12/09/2025
Grateful for the CBC Nova Scotia coverage — both the print article and the radio interview — highlighting mental health in the construction industry.
And sure, this is a Nova Scotia story, yet it has national implications...because these statistics show up across the entire country, from small construction crews to major infrastructure projects:
- Construction workers die by su***de at rates 3–4× higher than the general population.
- Over 60% report significant anxiety, and nearly 50% report symptoms of depression.
- Roughly 20% say alcohol or THC use before or during work is considered “normal.”
- Close to 50% report witnessing or experiencing bullying or harassment on job sites.
To be clear, this is not to say that men in the industry are ignorant, uncaring, hurtful, or addicted. What it does highlight is this:
- The very people building this country are struggling — and some are dying.
- Many still carry “old school” beliefs about what work should look like.
- These challenges are amplified in male-dominated work environments, where silence, toughness, and self-reliance are cultural norms.
So now what?
One meaningful way to shift these outcomes is to shift the culture — and that starts with leadership.
How foremen, supervisors, and project managers show up every day shapes everything: safety, communication, wellbeing, and team culture. They’re not only the front line in supporting workers who might be struggling — they also model healthier, more sustainable ways of showing up at work.
Proud to continue this work with construction leaders through Solid Foundations, in partnership with the … and grateful to see the conversation gaining national attention it deserves!
https://lnkd.in/gVgfkBKP
