Supporting the People Who Build: Mental Health in Roofing

May is Mental Health Awareness Month—a time to shine a light on an issue that often gets overshadowed in the construction and roofing world: mental health.

We all know this industry demands a lot. Long hours, tight deadlines, physically grueling work, and the pressure to perform day in and day out can take a toll not just on the body—but on the mind. While job site safety and project performance are top priorities, mental well-being is just as important and often goes unspoken.

Here’s a hard truth: male construction workers die by suicide at a rate 65% higher than all other U.S. male workers. The construction industry overall ranks second in suicide rates among all major U.S. industries. And as the national suicide rate continues to rise, the need for awareness and action in our industry becomes more urgent.

Many roofing professionals deal with stress, anxiety, depression, or substance use in silence—often masking their struggles instead of seeking support. In fact, 1 in 5 adults in the U.S. lives with a mental illness, yet fewer than half receive treatment.

By fostering open conversations and reducing the stigma around mental health, we can work toward an industry that not only builds structures—but also cares deeply for the people behind the work. Because at the end of the day, it’s not just about building roofs—it’s about protecting the people who build them.

We are grateful to NRCA for building awareness about mental health in the roofing industry. For more information and resources check out NRCA's mental health webpage.

NRCA Resources