Construction is built on grit.
Long days, high pressure, and the unspoken rule to “tough it out.” But a new nationwide study suggests that same toughness is taking a toll.
According to new research commissioned by Clayco, nearly two-thirds of construction workers reported feeling anxious or depressed in the past year—up almost 10% from 2024. And while more workers are reaching out for help, many still fear what might happen if they speak up.
That stigma is what Clayco’s Dan Lester, vice president of field culture and inclusion, is determined to confront. His advice? Start at the top.
“One thing all leaders can do,” Lester says, “is model vulnerability. When you talk about your own struggles, you give others permission to do the same.”
It’s a small act with significant consequences. Because behind every project deadline and every completed jobsite is a human being carrying unseen weight—and the industry is starting to take notice.
More firms are hiring mental health coordinators, training superintendents to spot warning signs, and reframing “psychological safety” as part of job safety.
For an industry built on strength, that shift toward openness might be the bravest build yet.
See how construction leaders are reshaping jobsite culture and why vulnerability may be the strongest foundation of all.
