Mental Health in Construction

“Prioritizing my mental health led to a fulfilling career shift.”

Anxiety has always been a part of my life. From the time I was a young child, I was a constant worrier. During family road trips, I'd sit in the backseat, shouting, "Don’t talk to the driver! Keep both hands on the wheel!" I feared any distraction might send us careening off the highway. I recall my parents warning me that excessive worry could lead to a stomach ulcer, so naturally, I began worrying about developing a stomach ulcer.

Starting in the film industry and transitioning to tech, I thrived in the initial whirlwind of both. However, the constant pressure soon took its toll. Evenings, weekends, and vacations were constantly interrupted by work demands. When a personal crisis triggered my anxiety to an all-time high, I felt the immense risk of opening up. Reaching out to my manager and HR for support, I was met with the disheartening response that such issues weren't appropriate for the workplace. This lack of understanding culminated in a breakdown at the office, forcing me onto mental health leave. Realizing the company wouldn't be a source of support, I decided to leave shortly after a decade at the company.

Prioritizing my mental health led to a fulfilling career shift. Leaving the tech industry was a transformative decision. It paved the way for me to launch the mental health program at the travel company Expedia Group. An unexpected connection sparked a new mission. In 2020, I was invited to contribute to a Forbes article about mental health challenges in high-risk, low-transparency workplaces. There, I met Cal Beyer, a leader in mental health in the construction industry. Through him, I gained a deeper understanding of the industry's physical and mental demands. I was stunned to discover construction has one of the highest suicide rates of any profession.

Seeing the mental toll that the pandemic was having on the workforce, I decided to leave the corporate world in 2022 to create LDC Wellbeing, a mental health education company. Through Cal, I was connected with construction industry leaders nationwide, including Greg Sizemore at ABC. With Greg's backing, ABC has emerged as a frontrunner in promoting mental health within the construction sector. Collaborating with my teaching partner, we regularly provide Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) certification courses. MHFA equips individuals with the skills to identify signs of mental health challenges and guide them toward appropriate support.

Laura DeCook and Kandy Hirsch at the Mental Health First Aid conference in Los Angeles (2023)

Construction's doors are opening wider for women, but challenges remain. Women in the industry can face unique challenges: unwelcoming workplace cultures, lack of mentorship, and even ill-fitting safety gear, all of which can cause frustration and impact well-being. That's where we come in! Seeing women from the industry joining our courses is inspiring. By equipping themselves with these skills, they become champions for mental health awareness within construction crews, and the industry at large.

May is Mental Health Awareness Month. Check out some of the events we are hosting or even better, sign up for one of our Mental Health First Aid courses. We would love to meet you!

Fur babies joining one of our Mental Health First Aid classes (2022)

Laura DeCook - Founder, LDC Wellbeing