World Mental Health Day
By: Sarah Owens, AAAE C.M.
October 10, 2024
Today, we are proud to spotlight World Mental Health Day, emphasizing the importance of mental health awareness within our industry.
World Mental Health Day was first observed on October 10, 1992, launched by the World Federation for Mental Health. The objective of the day is to raise awareness of mental health issues around the world and mobilize efforts in support of mental health. Many organizations use the day to spotlight mental health issues in their industry and share resources that are available to employees. For women in the workplace, mental health issues are compounded by personal and work-life demands. Due to societal gender roles, more women in their 40s and 50s, also known as the “sandwich generation”, are balancing their careers, children at home/adult children, and taking care of aging parents. At-home care for aging parents is increasingly expensive with long waiting lists for qualified care. These increased stressors are leading to more mental health issues for women in the workforce including anxiety, depression, and burnout. Workplaces can support their employees by facilitating time off to care for aging parents and providing benefits to cover support services.
Mental Health in the Construction Field
The construction industry experiences one of the highest rates of suicide among major sectors. Within the construction field, 10.4 women and 56 men out of 100,000 die by suicide compared to 32 per 100,000 for the general working population. The construction industry is unique in its stressors due to its competitive nature, high-pressure work environment, separation from family and friends, end-of-season layoffs, and chronic pain due to demanding labor. These stressors can be further exacerbated by alcohol and drug abuse. Using alcohol or drugs to self-medicate can be dangerous especially if individuals do so on the job site. The construction industry is working with trade groups to decrease the stigma around talking about mental health issues and give employers and employees resources to help those struggling.
Tips for supporting better mental health:
- Promoting help-seeking through cultural change
- Facilitating time off and benefits to cover supportive services
- Integrating workplace safety, health, and wellness programs to advance the overall well-being of workers
- Training personnel to detect and appropriately respond to suicide risk
- Creating opportunities for employee social connectedness
- Beginning the day with mindfulness/meditation
- Talking openly and honestly about mental health struggles
- Participating in ‘screen-free’ hobbies
Want to learn more? Visit:
World Mental Health Day (who.int)
10 Ways To Improve Your Mental Health At Work (forbes.com)
What is World Mental Health Day and why it matters? | World Economic Forum (weforum.org)