TELUS Health, a provider of healthcare technology and employee support, Vancouver, British Columbia, just issued its Q2 2026 U.S. Mental Health Index, which found that construction workers reported a mental health score of 72.1 in June. Although it’s up 2.9 points from the last report, it remains among the lowest sectors measured.

Nearly one-quarter (23%) of the workforce across all industries surveyed remain at high mental health risk, with 42% at a moderate risk. Anxiety and isolation have stayed at the lowest level for six years, with 26% of workers feeling anxious, 25% feeling isolated and 19% feeling depressed.

Mental health scores don’t necessarily indicate suicide risk. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), about half of people who die by suicide have not been diagnosed with a mental health condition. However, it’s important to note that suicide rates in the construction industry are among the highest across all industries—and 21% of all workers surveyed report that their mental health negatively affects their work productivity.

What these scores showcase are the well-being challenges that should be addressed by employers, and why learning to recognize early signs of distress and creating workplaces where employees feel safe seeking support before challenges escalate can make a difference. 

This can be a challenge in the construction industry, where stigma about mental health creates barriers to seeking help. In the hope of breaking down some of those barriers, World Suicide Prevention Day on Sept. 10 helps draw attention to mental health concerns.

“World Suicide Prevention Day is an important opportunity to shine a light on workers who may be struggling in silence, particularly in industries where stress and difficult working conditions can be seen as simply part of the job,” said Paula Allen, global leader of research and insights at TELUS Health. “Mental health challenges often go unseen and stigma can prevent people from speaking up or seeking support. For safety leaders, supporting mental health should be part of a proactive workplace safety culture that addresses challenges before workers reach a crisis point.”