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. The 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. The figure is even higher for countries like the UK and the US.
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 essential role in mental health. The interviews described empathetic and supportive managers but also managers who, for example, ignored the mental health problems of their employees.
One of the construction workers tells us, “I have signalled that I will not be feeling my best.” The answer is, “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 a macho culture and stigmatization of mental illness characterize the work climate in some workplaces.
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“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 need better procedures 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 the 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 challenging to understand what had happened.
The working conditions in the construction industry were described as physically very demanding and stressful, which was perceived to harm both physical and mental health. Study participants reported that the demanding working conditions often cause long-term pain, which in turn can lead to mental health problems and overconsumption of alcohol and painkillers.
The study, published in the journal PLOS One, was conducted with the financial support of Afa Försäkring, which is owned by LO, PTK, and the Confederation of Swedish Enterprise.
Advice: Urgent help: when you need someone to talk to - RSMH
Facklig representant:
Sedan hade vi ett självmord som drabbade vår grupp. Pang. . . och så var det en kille som begick självmord. Ingen visste någonting, ingen hade märkt något, ingen hade märkt något alls. Hur fan kunde detta hända?
Byggarbetare:
När jag tänker tillbaka finns det en röd tråd bland dem som tagit sitt liv, och det är alkoholism och hög ålder.
Byggarbetare:
De bryr sig inte ett skit om att det tar en timme att installera en gipsskiva, det borde ta 30 minuter. Och så får du ett tidsschema som är så tajt att du inte klarar det mest av tiden. Det blir skit. . . du måste jobba snabbare och i slutändan blir du utbränd, sjukskriven, skadad. . . det är en tung industri.