Whitney Mugford, Director of Human Resources at JM Electrical, was recently published in Banker and Tradesman with an op-ed calling on the construction industry to bring the same commitment it has made to physical safety to the mental health of its workforce.

In the piece, Whitney addresses the cultural barriers that have long made mental health a difficult conversation in construction. The industry’s deeply ingrained expectation to push through and stay tough, while a genuine source of resilience, can also make it harder for workers to ask for help when they need it. Whitney argues that the goal isn’t less toughness, but a broader definition of what strength looks like in the trades.

The op-ed outlines the unique stressors construction workers face that differ significantly from other professions: long hours, early mornings, irregular schedules, seasonal layoffs, physical wear and tear, and the constant transitions between projects. These pressures don’t disappear when the workday ends, and the industry’s data reflects their toll in significant ways. Whitney emphasizes that when mental health goes unaddressed, the effects show up directly at work through absenteeism, higher turnover, lower productivity, and increased safety risk, making it a business issue as much as a human one.

Whitney offers practical guidance for contractors looking to take action, noting that culture change starts at the top. If leadership isn’t open to talking about mental health, no one else will be. She also stresses the importance of investing in an Employee Assistance Program that genuinely speaks to the trades, and making sure employees know it exists, trust it, and feel no stigma in using it.

At JM Electrical, the company has partnered with Modern Assistance, an EAP built specifically for the trades, providing team members with access to confidential counseling, substance abuse services, mental health and anger management resources, and 24/7 clinician support in partnership with IBEW Local 103.

Read the full article: https://bankerandtradesman.com/mental-health-in-construction-cant-be-ignored/

Whitney Mugford is Director of Human Resources at JM Electrical Company, a Boston-based specialty electrical contractor.