b'HEALTH & SAFETYby extension, feelings of anxiety ELIMINATING THE STIGMAand depression.One of the more significant barriers to addressing mental health in construction 2. rregular hours and employment:is overcoming the stigma of mental health IConstruction work can be cyclicalchallenges itself. Today, despite industry and require working late hours ormessaging and support to the contrary, through irregular schedules. This cansome workers may feel reluctant to speak leave workers experiencing work-lifeup about their psychological challenges imbalances and feeling insecure as tofor fear of looking weak among their when or where theyll be tougher peers. employed next.Unfortunately, their fears are not always3.Working in remote locations: Someunfounded, as there still exists some projects see workers leaving theirin the industry who perpetuate this families to work in remote locations forstereotype and hinder the development of extended periods of time. And whilea more accepting workplace environment. they may be surrounded by peers andOne of the key dimensions of physical have access to social support, theyand psychosocial work environment that can still fall prey to deep feelings ofhave been linked with poorer mental loneliness and isolation. health include being exposed to bullying and harassment, in particular from those 4.Physical strain and injuries: Safety iswho you work with, be it your co-workersa massive focus within the Canadianor supervisors, notes Dr. Smith. construction industry, but incidents can still occur. When they do,Left to fester, the stigmas surrounding individuals may be left with chronicmental health can affect both the pain which, left unaddressed, canindividual and their workplace. On a lead to depression, substance abusepersonal level, it can discourage workers or other mental health challenges.from seeking support and leave them feeling helpless, less worthy or more 5.Substance abuse: To contend withapt to turn to drugs and alcohol. Forphysical or psychological stress,the workplace, it can result in staff some construction workers turn topresenteeism and absenteeism, reduced illicit drugs or alcohol. Rather thanjobsite productivity and engagement, provide relief, however, abusing thesedifficulty attracting and retaining talent, substances can make matters worse.difficulty implementing psychological construction an important industry to focus on is that it can be an industry where a number of different factors associated with increased risks of mentalLEADERS INhealth problems come together, saysCONSTRUCTION LAWSmith, president and senior scientist at Torontos Institute for Work & Health (IWH) in Toronto, and a professor in the Dalla Lana School of Public Health at the University of Toronto.LAWYERS SUPPORTING TRADE UNIONS AND Those factors can include:WORKING PEOPLEHigh-stress environments: Tight20 QUEEN STREET WEST, SUITE 900|TORONTO, ONM5H 3R3|KMLAW.CA1.KOSKIE MINSKY LLPdeadlines, long hours and physicallyJEFFREY ARMEL | JEFFREY LONG | DANIEL RESNICK demanding tasks can take their toll on20 QUEEN STREET WEST, SUITE 900|TORONTO, ONM5H 3R3|KOSKIE MINSKY LLPworkers, leading to chronic stress and, BUILDERSDIGEST Quarter 2202415'