Introduction to Workplace Mental Health
The workplace is the new ground zero for addressing mental health. That means companies — employees and supervisors alike — must confront crises, from addiction to suicide. Two seemingly unrelated advances in Connecticut and Pennsylvania have one common factor: They grew out of the work of a little-known federal agency called the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health. It’s one of the key federal agencies leading workplace mental health efforts, from decreasing alarmingly high rates of suicide among construction workers to addressing burnout and depression among health care workers.
The Role of NIOSH in Workplace Mental Health
NIOSH, established in 1970 by the same law that created the better-known Occupational Safety and Health Administration, is charged with producing research that informs workplace safety regulations. It’s best known for monitoring black lung disease in coal miners and for testing masks, like the N95s used during the pandemic. As part of the mass firing of federal workers this spring, NIOSH was slated to lose upward of 900 employees. After pushback from legislators — primarily over coal miner and first responder safety — the administration reinstated 328. It’s not clear if any rehired workers focus on mental health initiatives.
Reducing Suicides and Addiction in Construction and Mining
Over 5,000 construction workers die by suicide annually — five times the number who die from work-related injuries. Miners suffer high rates too. And nearly a fifth of workers in both industries have a substance use disorder, double the rate among all U.S. workers. Kyle Zimmer recognized these issues as early as 2010. That’s when he started a members’ assistance program for the International Union of Operating Engineers Local 478 in Connecticut. He hired a licensed clinician on retainer and developed partnerships with local treatment facilities.
Health Care Sector Braces for Fallout From NIOSH Cuts
For a long time, clinicians have had troubling rates of addiction and suicide risk. Just after the height of the pandemic, a NIOSH survey found nearly half of health workers reported feeling burned out and nearly half intended to look for a new job. The agency declared a mental health crisis in that workforce. NIOSH received $20 million through the American Rescue Plan Act to create a national campaign to improve the mental health of health workers. The results included a step-by-step guide for hospital leaders to improve systems to support their employees, as well as tips and suggested language for leaders to discuss well-being and for workers to advocate for better policies.
Who Can Fill the Gap?
TJ Lyons, a multidecade construction industry safety professional who has worked at big-name companies such as Gilbane, Turner, and DPR Construction, is confident that workplace mental health will remain a priority despite the NIOSH cuts. General contractors and project owners have been incorporating budget lines for mental health support for years, he said, sharing an example of a $1 billion project that included a mental health clinician on call for four hours several days a week. Workers would make appointments to sit in their pickup trucks during lunch breaks and talk to her, he said. Now when these big companies subcontract with smaller firms, they often ask if the subcontractors provide mental health support for workers, Lyons said.
Conclusion
Workplace mental health is one of the most underappreciated yet critical areas that could be intervened on. The Trump administration has fired a majority of NIOSH staffers and is proposing severe reductions to its budget. Private industry and nonprofits may be able to fill some of the gap, but they can’t match the federal government’s resources. And some companies may not prioritize worker well-being above profits. The consequence of losing such research is not confined to academia; workers’ health and safety is very much in jeopardy.
FAQs
Q: What is NIOSH, and what is its role in workplace mental health?
A: NIOSH is the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, a federal agency that produces research to inform workplace safety regulations. It plays a key role in leading workplace mental health efforts, including decreasing suicide rates among construction workers and addressing burnout among health care workers.
Q: How do NIOSH cuts affect workplace mental health efforts?
A: The cuts to NIOSH imperil the progress made in workplace mental health efforts. With fewer staff and reduced budget, NIOSH may not be able to continue its research and initiatives, leaving a gap that private industry and nonprofits may not be able to fill.
Q: Can private industry fill the gap left by NIOSH cuts?
A: While some companies, like general contractors and project owners, have been incorporating mental health support into their budgets, others may not prioritize worker well-being above profits. Private industry may not be able to match the federal government’s resources, and smaller companies may lack the means to commission research studies.
