GREEN BAY (WLUK) — Northeast Wisconsin Technical College is raising awareness about mental health issues in the skilled trades industry.
An event held at NWTC Thursday called “Men’s Mental Health: Tools in Tough Times” highlighted the challenges faced by trade professionals, particularly men.
The suicide rate among construction workers, for example, is four times higher than the average of employees in other industries. According to CDC data, approximately 6,000 construction workers by suicide in 2022. That’s 56 suicides for every 100,000 male construction workers. The suicide rate among male construction workers is 75% higher than men in the general population. And for every construction employee that dies by suicide, there are 25 more attempts.
Bruce Morton, founder of the Wisconsin Construction Wellness Community, was the featured speaker at Thursday’s event. He is a leading safety expert and mental health advocate, both in Wisconsin and nationally, with decades of experience in construction.
He says the goal of events like this one is to end the stigma surrounding men’s mental health issues by starting conversations and fostering supportive workplace environments.
“Making sure we’re open when someone does come forward. If we push them away — the average is 11 years that it takes them to come forward. Now, if we have a physical injury, we’re not going to wait that long. But that mental injury can hurt your physicalness, your brain,” said Morton.
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Click here to see a list of free, confidential suicide prevention resources in Northeast Wisconsin.