Suicides in the construction industry are perceived to occur suddenly

Construction workers can find it difficult to talk about mental health problems, and suicide among colleagues often comes as a shock. A study from the University of Gothenburg also links work-related pain to mental illness. 

Previous research has shown that male construction workers in Sweden have up to a 50% increased risk of suicide. For countries like the UK and the US, the figure is even higher.  

This study is based on interviews with 43 construction workers, trade union representatives and managers within the Swedish construction industry.  

Managers were highlighted as having an important role in mental health. The interviews described empathetic and supportive managers, but also managers who, for example, did not pay attention to mental health problems of their employees. 

One of the construction workers tells us: “I have signaled that I would not be feeling my best. The answer was “let's deal with that later, we need to finish the project first”. Then the next project starts.” 

Not seeking help 

The study supports the image of the construction industry as demanding, where the work climate in some workplaces is characterized by a macho culture and stigmatization of mental illness. 

“Our interviews revealed that many construction workers do not report or seek help when they feel mentally unwell, and that some self-medicate with alcohol and painkillers. We also see that there is a need for better procedures on how to deal with mental illness and clearer social support in the workplace,” says Kristina Aurelius, Associate Professor at Sahlgrenska Academy at the University of Gothenburg. 

Demanding work 

The study participants who had experienced suicide of a colleague described it as very unexpected. They had not noticed any signs that the colleague was feeling low or suicidal. They described it as a shocking experience, and that it had been difficult to understand what had happened.

The working conditions in the construction industry was described as physically very demanding and stressful, which was perceived to have a negative effect on both physical and mental health. Study participants reported that the demanding working conditions often causes long-term pain, which in turn can lead to mental health problems and overconsumption of alcohol and painkillers. 

The study is published in the journal PLOS One, and has been conducted with the financial support of Afa Försäkring, which is owned by LO, PTK and the Confederation of Swedish Enterprise. 

More quotes from the interviews:

“They don't give a shit that it takes an hour to install drywall, it should take 30 minutes. And then you end up with a schedule so tight that you can't get it done it most of the time. It gets bad. . . you have to work faster and in the end you get burnt out, sick, injured. . . it's a challenging industry.” (Construction worker)

“Then we had a suicide that affected our group. Bang. . . and then there was a guy who committed suicide. Nobody knew anything, nobody had noticed anything, nobody had noticed anything at all. How the hell could this happen?” (Trade union representative)

“Looking back, there are similarities among those who have taken their lives, and they are alcoholism and old age.” (Construction worker)