Construction workers face numerous challenges that can impact their mental health and well-being. Long hours, physically demanding work, and a high-risk environment can lead to stress, anxiety, and depression. The Career Survival in Construction Careers (CSICC) program provides peer support and resilience training to help workers cope with these challenges and improve their mental health and overall well-being.
The CSICC program is based on the principle of peer support, where experienced workers are trained to provide support and mentorship to their colleagues. The program also includes resilience training, which teaches workers coping skills and strategies to manage stress and improve their mental health. This approach has been shown to be effective in reducing stress and improving mental health outcomes in other high-stress occupations, such as healthcare.
Research has shown that peer support and resilience training programs can have a significant positive impact on mental health outcomes. A study published in the Journal of Workplace Behavioral Health found that a peer support program for healthcare workers led to decreased stress and burnout levels. Another study published in the Journal of Occupational Health Psychology found that resilience training programs led to significant reductions in anxiety and depression symptoms.
Implementing the CSICC program on construction jobsites can be achieved through a variety of methods. Employers can provide training and resources to experienced workers to help them become effective peer mentors. They can also schedule regular resilience training sessions for all workers and provide resources such as books, podcasts, or videos to help workers develop coping skills and strategies.
Employers can also use behavioral science principles to encourage participation in the program. For example, social norms can be used to create a culture where seeking support and participating in the program is seen as a positive behavior. Incentives such as bonuses or paid time off can also be used to encourage participation.
The Career Survival in Construction Careers program is an effective intervention for improving the mental health and well-being of construction workers. By providing peer support and resilience training, employers can create a supportive work environment that values the mental health of its workers. By implementing the program and using behavioral science principles, employers can encourage participation and create a culture of support and well-being.
Sources:
Henderson, M., & Knights, K. (2016). A peer support program for healthcare workers in an Australian public hospital setting: A qualitative evaluation. Journal of Workplace Behavioral Health, 31(3), 153-167.
Robertson, I. T., Cooper, C. L., Sarkar, M., & Curran, T. (2015). Resilience training in the workplace from 2003 to 2014: A systematic review. Journal of Occupational Health Psychology, 20(3), 277-293.
van der Klink, J. J., Blonk, R. W., Schene, A. H., & van Dijk, F. J. (2001). The benefits of interventions for work-related stress. American Journal of Public Health, 91(2), 270-276.
van der Windt, D. A., Thomas, E., Pope, D. P., de Winter, A. F., Macfarlane, G. J., Bouter, L. M., & Silman, A. J. (2004). Occupational risk factors for shoulder pain: A systematic review. Occupational and Environmental Medicine, 61(9), 820-830.
World Health Organization. (2019). Mental health in the workplace. Retrieved from https://www.who.int/mental_health/in_the_workplace/en/
