Follow Through for Mental Healthcare Wellness

Follow through for asphalt industry mental healthcare wellness

Most people in construction have a gut sense when something isn’t quite right on a job. Maybe it’s a subtle shift that prompts you to slow down, take a closer look or double-check things. That instinct is part of how you stay safe and make good decisions in this line of work.

That same kind of awareness also shows up personally. Often, when things feel “off,” what you’re noticing are early signs of stress, burnout or other mental health strain. The question then becomes: what do you do about it?

The mental health system is complex and fragmented, which can make it hard to know where to start. It’s common to hesitate before seeking help because the process feels unclear, time-consuming or not particularly promising—especially when you’re already stretched thin. In a field where the expectation is to handle what’s in front of you and keep going, it makes sense to maintain the status quo and hope things work themselves out.

The 988 help line is for more than emergencies. In both the United States and Canada, you can call or text 988 just to talk to a trained crisis counselor and to get help figuring out your next step for mental health care. In the United States, you can also text HOME to 741741.

The challenge is that what’s happening off the job doesn’t necessarily stay off the job. It can show up in your attention, decision-making and interactions with others. Over time, that begins to matter—not just personally, but operationally and from a safety standpoint.

One of the biggest barriers to getting help is simply not knowing where to begin. There’s no single obvious entry point to mental healthcare, and when you’re tired or under pressure, even small decisions can feel like more than you want to take on. In practice, there are a few straightforward ways to get started:

• Use what’s already available.Many construction companies offer employee assistance programs (EAPs), which can provide short-term counseling and referrals at no cost. Your company may have given you a direct phone number, or you can contact Human Resources to get connected.
• Call or text a national helpline. In both the United States and Canada, you can call or text 988 for 24/7 support. In the United States, you can also text HOME to 741741. These aren’t only for emergencies—they can help you figure out next steps.
• Reach out locally or search for a provider. Community mental health agencies and tools like Psychology Today can help you identify a few options quickly.
• Use a trusted referral source. Organizations like Mosaics—a nonprofit that helps you navigate mental healthcare and connect you with appropriate providers—can help you figure out where to start and what makes sense for your situation.

Addressing Mental Wellness in Asphalt Construction

After the First Step

What’s talked about far less, and where people get discouraged, is what happens after that first step. You make the appointment and show up, but it doesn’t quite land. The intake process can feel tedious, opening up to a stranger may feel awkward, or you may not feel understood. This is especially true if it doesn’t seem like the counselor fully understands your work in the construction industry or your environment. For some, that’s enough to conclude that counseling isn’t useful.

In most cases, that initial experience has more to do with the match between you and the counselor than with whether counseling itself can help.

The relationship between you and your counselor is central to whether the work is helpful. It’s not secondary. It is the work. And like most important tasks, it can take more than one attempt to get it right. A useful way to think about it is like bringing someone new onto a crew. You don’t assume the first person is the best for the job simply because they’re available. You get a sense of how they work, how they communicate and whether they understand what’s needed. The same is true with counseling. You might “strike gold” with the first counselor you see, but you may also need to try a second, or even a third, before you find the right fit.

That’s not a failure. It’s an expected part of the process, even though it’s rarely framed that way.

That said, once you find a counselor who seems like a reasonable fit, it’s important to give the process a fair shot. Counseling isn’t always immediately relieving, and it takes time to build trust and get traction. In most cases, that means committing to at least 6-8 sessions before deciding whether it’s helping or whether it makes sense to move on. That allows enough time to move past the initial surface-level conversations and begin doing more meaningful work.

5 Trends Shaping Workforce Mental Health and Substance Use Prevention

In the Interim

While that process is unfolding, there are practical ways to reduce the strain in the short term. These aren’t substitutes for professional support, but they can help you stay steady enough to follow through.

• Protect your baseline.Consistent sleep, hydration and regular meals make a noticeable difference in focus and patience.
• Keep your body moving. Even short walks, especially outside, can help reset your system and clear your head.
• Get things out of your head. Writing down your thoughts or what you’re noticing can reduce pressure and improve clarity.
• Use simple resets. Slowing your breathing, releasing tension or even splashing cold water on your face can help calm your nervous system and bring your focus back.
• Lean into pleasurable activities. Even brief moments of something you genuinely enjoy can help offset ongoing stress.
• Stay connected. A quick call or message to someone you trust can reduce isolation, even if you don’t go into detail.
• Use accessible support. Online therapy and support groups can be flexible, practical options when schedules are unpredictable.
• Be mindful of substance use. It can feel like a quick way to take the edge off, but it tends to worsen stress, sleep and mood.

Many people hesitate to involve others because they don’t want to worry them or feel like a burden. But in most cases, the people who care about you would rather know you’re having a hard time than be shut out entirely. Letting someone in, even in a limited way, often makes the next steps feel more manageable.

Construction Safety’s Next Frontier: Suicide Prevention

Awareness

For those in leadership roles—foremen, supervisors, project managers—this is an area where awareness matters. Changes in behavior, performance, reliability or problem-solving are usually more visible than anything someone says directly.

Someone who’s struggling may be more irritable, withdrawn, careless or absent than usual. A simple, sincere check-in can create space for someone to speak up if needed. When they do, the goal isn’t to fix it, but to point them toward support and reinforce that getting help is a responsible step. The steadiness of a crew depends not only on physical safety, but on how people are functioning day to day.

There’s a strong culture in the asphalt industry of “being tough” and pushing through. That approach works in many situations, but it has its limits. When something feels off, it’s worth paying attention to, even if the response is gradual and imperfect. Finding the right kind of support can take time, and it may take more than one attempt. But when the fit is right, it makes a meaningful difference—not just in how you feel, but in how you function, make decisions and show up on the job when it matters.

It’s not about fixing everything at once. It’s about staying with the process long enough for it to start working and make a real difference.

Bridget K. Caletka, LPC-S, LMHC, is a clinical mental health counselor with 15+ years’ experience, focused on construction and other safety-critical industries. For more information, contact bridget@forgemypath.com or (607) 237-3938.