Oregon construction companies adapting to help workers struggling with mental health issues

SALEM, Ore. (KPTV) - May is Mental Health Awareness Month, and as part of Well-Being Revolution, FOX 12 is taking a closer look at a deadly problem that remained hidden for too long.

Last week, FOX 12 reported that construction workers were six times more likely to die from suicide than anything they might encounter at a job sight. Now, we’re showing what’s being done to change that.

The work is physically demanding but the mental toll is far tougher. Construction industry veteran Adam Rice knows that all too well.

“There’s been three people in the past, I would say, a couple months that have taken their own lives,” said Rice. “You know, we spend more time with people on site than sometimes we spend with our own home families, you know. So everybody gets to know everybody, and when you hear that happening, it just really hits you deep.”

Sadly, it’s been a familiar story. Construction workers often face stressful deadlines in a tough-guy culture, and for years there was nowhere to turn for help.

But workers are now encouraged to step away for a break.

It’s called a “GUTS” room, an acronym for “Get Us There Safe.” The program was first implemented in Salem for crews working on the State Capitol renovation project.

It’s a safe space for workers to decompress. There, personal interaction is encouraged and mental health resources are abundant.

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At the Hoffman Construction headquarters, CEO Dave Drinkward says the idea was long overdue.

“So the whole idea with this was to really create a space in our offices, just like we do on our job sites, where people can come if they need to take some time just themselves,” Drinkward said.

He says all workers should have a space to decompress, with no questions asked.

“We put a huge emphasis in our industry on physical safety, right? All the things you would associated with construction,” said Drinkward. “But, historically, we haven’t really paid enough attention, if any, to this other side of the coin.”

But that is changing.

GUTS rooms are now standard at Hoffman sites, including office environments.

There’s also “Moment rooms” where people can go if they just need time to themselves. The rooms are sound proof, complete with Wi-Fi connections for anyone who might need to make a telehealth call.

These concepts are not unique to Hoffman. Across town at an Anderson construction site, Senior Superintendent Mike Pierce showed something similar - a “thrive” room.

“It’s a got a locking door so people can come in here and be private,” Pierce said.

The thrive room includes couches and yoga mats.

“We tried to make it as comfortable as we could so people could take a breath when they needed to,” said Pierce.

And just like at Hoffman, the idea is paying off in more ways than one.

“If you create a good healthy culture where everybody on the job cares about everyone else, it’s safe,” Pierce said. “If you create a culture where everybody is healthy and they feel wanted, they produce more.”

Back in Salem, the GUTS room is a hit with workers, as is the culture adjustment.

“When you get a job where everybody wants to be on site and everybody is getting along well; a construction site can be a pretty fun place,” said Rice.

If you or anyone you know is struggling with mental health issues, there is help available. Find out more resources at Lines for Life, and you can always dial 988 for immediate help.