Be sure to check in on your construction and trades crews to see if they need any moral support or counseling for depression. You want to be sure your most valuable assets are happy, healthy and ready to work. Consider these facts: 

• According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control, depression interferes with a person’s ability to complete physical job tasks about 20% of the time and reduces cognitive performance about 35% of the time.

• Uninsured construction workers are less likely to use prescribed opioid pain relievers and more inclined to use illicit drugs than their insured counterparts.

• Only 57% of employees who report moderate depression and 40% who report severe depression receive treatment to control depression symptoms.

• Employees at high risk of depression had the highest healthcare costs during the three years after an initial health risk assessment compared to those who smoke or are obese. 

Source: The Center for Construction Research and Training Report 2022