by Jessica Gillette | Sep 24, 2026 | Mental Health
Mental Health Challenges in Construction
Mental health is an important but often overlooked issue in the construction industry. While construction work is physically demanding, the mental and emotional challenges faced by workers can be just as serious. Long hours, high stress, job insecurity, and a culture that discourages discussing mental health all contribute to significant risks. Addressing mental health in construction is essential for worker safety, productivity, and overall well-being.
Construction workers face unique stressors that increase the likelihood of mental health issues:
High-Stress Work Environment — Construction jobs often involve tight deadlines, heavy workloads, and physically demanding tasks. Workers must operate machinery and perform duties where mistakes can have serious consequences, leading to constant pressure.
Long and Irregular Hours — Many workers are required to work extended hours, including overtime and weekends. This disrupts sleep patterns and reduces time with family, leading to emotional strain and fatigue.
Job Insecurity — Employment in construction is frequently project-based. Workers may experience layoffs between projects, causing financial stress and uncertainty about the future.
Physical Strain and Injury — Injuries are common in the field. Chronic pain or recovery from injury can negatively impact mental health, contributing to anxiety, depression, and frustration.
Mental Health Risks
Construction workers face increased risks of:
- Depression and anxiety
- Substance abuse
- Suicide
The industry culture often emphasizes toughness, which can discourage workers from seeking help and allow problems to worsen over time.
Barriers to Seeking Help
Stigma — Many workers believe discussing mental health is a sign of weakness.
Lack of Awareness — Some workers may not recognize symptoms or know where to find help.
Limited Resources — Access to mental health services can be limited, especially on smaller job site
Impact on Safety and Productivity
Mental health issues have a direct impact on workplace performance:
- Reduced focus increases the risk of accidents
- Poor decision-making can lead to costly mistakes
- Increased absenteeism and employee turnover
- Decreased teamwork and communication
Maintaining mental health is critical to overall job site safety.
Promoting Mental Health in Construction
To improve mental health in the industry, employers and workers can take proactive steps:
Education and Training — Providing training helps workers recognize signs of stress, burnout, and mental health conditions.
Encouraging Open Communication — Creating a culture where workers feel safe speaking about mental health is essential.
Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs) — Offering access to counseling and support services provides valuable resources for workers.
Work-Life Balance — Managing schedules and allowing time for rest reduces fatigue and stress.
Peer Support — Workers supporting one another can help identify problems early and encourage action.
Recognizing Warning Signs
Common signs of mental health issues include:
- Persistent sadness or mood changes
- Withdrawal from coworkers
- Increased irritability or anger
- Lack of energy or chronic fatigue
- Substance misuse
Recognizing these signs early can prevent more serious outcomes.
Mental health is a critical issue in the construction industry that must be addressed. The demanding nature of construction work, combined with social and environmental factors, increases the risk of mental health challenges. By promoting awareness, reducing stigma, and providing access to support, the industry can create safer and healthier work environments. Prioritizing mental health benefits both workers and organizations by improving safety, productivity, and overall success.
If you or someone you know is facing a mental health crisis, please dial 988 immediately.
Article by ABC-VA Education Manager & Mental Health Advocate, Sherrie Dickerson. Sherrie is trained in multiple mental health workshops, including suicide prevention training in the construction industry. We offer these classes at NO COST to ABC-VA members. Please email Sherrie to bring this crucial, lifesaving topic to your company now!
by Jessica Gillette | Aug 19, 2026 | News, Apprenticeship
Originally published by ABC-National August 19, 2026
PERMALINK
Contact: Erika Walter, ABC | ewalter@abc.org
ABC: Merit Shop Apprenticeship Program Enrollment Up 60%, Growing Faster Than Unions
Nonunion apprenticeship programs and participants were responsible for the vast majority of growth in construction registered apprenticeship programs, or RAPs, over the past five years, according to an Associated Builders and Contractors analysis of U.S. Department of Labor data.
“The DOL data show that ABC and merit shop contractors are leading the industry in growing both registered apprenticeship programs and innovative new workforce development pipelines,” said Kristen Swearingen, ABC vice president of government affairs. “ABC supports the DOL building on its success by streamlining and simplifying apprenticeship regulations while providing incentives for better RAP performance, which will attract new sponsors and employers to the system.”
ABC’s analysis of the data demonstrates that the merit shop is the sector most responsible for increasing access to registered apprenticeships in fiscal years 2020-2025:
• In 2025, 93% of the construction industry’s RAPs were nonunion providers.
• Participants in nonunion RAPs increased by 60% from 2020 to 2025, compared to just 21% for union programs.
• The number of nonunion RAPs has grown by 18% since 2020, compared to a 1.5% decrease in union-affiliated RAPs.
• Completers of nonunion RAPs increased by 47% from 2020 to 2025, compared to 19% for union programs.
• In 2025, 31% of all construction industry RAP participants were in nonunion programs.
ABC estimates that, in fiscal year 2025, the construction industry’s federal and state RAPs had about 324,000 apprentice participants and yielded 40,000 completers.* ABC put the construction industry workforce shortage at 349,000 in 2026, reflecting the need for an all-of-the-above approach to workforce development that incorporates registered apprenticeship as an important tool.
“ABC champions registered apprenticeships as a key solution in construction workforce development,” said Swearingen. “ABC’s 67 chapters educate craft, safety and management professionals using innovative and flexible learning models like just-in-time task training, competency-based progression and work-based learning, in addition to more than 450 federal and state RAPs in more than 20 different occupations across America.”
*Note that eight states did not report complete RAP data to the DOL, so ABC’s figure incorporates rough estimates to account for missing state data.
by Jessica Gillette | Feb 18, 2026 | News
Spencer Teel & ABC-VA President, Pat Dean
2025 Member of the Year: Spencer Teel
President & CEO, TEEL Construction
It is one thing to lead a successful firm; it is another entirely to dedicate your limited time to the growth and education of our industry peers. This year, ABC Virginia is proud to honor Spencer Teel as our Member of the Year (2025).
Spencer’s journey in construction began from the ground up (literally!), spending his high school summers as a laborer and superintendent. That “boots on the ground” perspective has stayed with him as he ascended to President and CEO of TEEL Construction. But for ABC Virginia (ABC-VA), Spencer has been much more than a member; he has been a strategic builder of our chapter’s recent success.
A Legacy of Leadership Spencer’s impact is woven into the very fabric of our chapter’s operations. Having served on the Board of Directors since 2023 and now stepping into the Executive Committee for 2026, his vision has been instrumental during our Strategic Planning Conferences for the last four consecutive years. His commitment to the next generation of leaders was never more evident than when he shared his insights as a speaker for the Leadership Institute, presenting on “The Purpose Driven Life”, a topic that resonates deeply with our mission.
Spencer & Derek Irelan at ABC-VA SummerFest
Building the Bench What truly sets Spencer apart is his “culture first” mentality. He doesn’t just show up alone; he has championed a culture of involvement at TEEL, encouraging his staff to dive into ABC-VA committees, networking events, and our Young Professionals programs. Spencer’s team, with Director of Field Ops Deborah Magano as ring leader, has achieved STEP Diamond and Platinum status, proving that excellence in safety and professional development goes hand-in-hand.
GC Perspective Panel
Beyond the Blueprint Whether he was chairing the Management Education Committee, moderating our 2025 GC Panel, or supporting our PAC initiatives, Spencer has consistently raised the bar. When he finally steps “off the clock,” you’ll likely find him cheering from the sidelines of his sons’ games or crafting custom furniture — a testament to a man who enjoys the art of building, whether it’s a table, a team, or a community.
Please join us in celebrating Spencer Teel, a leader who defines what it means to be a truly engaged partner of ABC-VA!
Congratulations, Spencer!
View Spencer’s LinkedIn profile
by Jessica Gillette | Jan 15, 2026 | News, Political Advocacy
House Bill 42 was submitted to the Virginia General Assembly on January 14 and would extend mechanic’s lien agent provisions to most commercial projects.
Why General & Specialty Contractors Should Oppose Virginia HB 42
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It weakens mechanic’s lien rights on commercial projects.
Missing a 30-day MLA notice — even unintentionally — means losing lien protection entirely.
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The notice deadline is too early to be practical.
Contractors must send notice before payment issues are known, creating a technical trap.
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It increases risk without improving payment.
MLA notices do not require owners or lenders to pay faster or differently.
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More paperwork, more cost, more exposure.
Increased admin burden and legal risk raise costs for GCs and specialty trades.
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It favors title insurance companies and lenders, not contractors.
Contractors assume more risk while others gain protection.
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Higher contractor risk means higher project costs.
Weakening lien rights leads to higher pricing, tighter credit, and fewer competitive bids.
Bottom line:
HB 42 shifts risk away from owners and lenders and onto contractors — without fixing payment problems.
ABC-VA member Jim Fullerton of Fullerton & Knowles, P.C., provides a full breakdown on HB 42, its affects on the construction industry, and what you can do in his report, Expanding Mechanic’s Lien Agent Requirements to Commercial Projects in Virginia.
by Jessica Gillette | Oct 17, 2025 | News, Apprenticeship
He built his legacy, brick by brick, student by student, and friend by friend.
Bill DixonFor 26+ years, Bill Dixon was the heartbeat of his trade. If you graduated from the ABC-VA Richmond apprenticeship training program, if you earned your certification, if you ever successfully diagnosed a complex refrigerant leak or perfectly balanced an air handler, you carry a piece of Bill with you. He didn’t just teach HVAC; he lived and breathed it. He had a profound love for the trade, and that enthusiasm was contagious.
Bill was more than an instructor. He was a mentor, a counselor, and often a demanding but fair critic. He would never let you settle for “good enough”. He instilled in us the truth that in this industry, “good enough” is the enemy of safe, efficient, and professional work. Beyond the gauges and the schematics, Bill was there for us, too. He didn’t just teach us how to fix systems; he helped fix our confidence when we doubted ourselves, cheering us through life’s tougher moments as much as he cheered on his team during a tough installation or service call.
Many of us carry memories of Bill leaning over your shoulder in the shop, not just pointing out a mistake, but pausing to explain the WHY connecting the textbook theory directly to the tangible, real-world consequence. He demanded precision, he expected excellence, and he gave us the confidence to go out into the world and build not just careers, but truly successful lives. If you needed a technical answer, Bill had it. But if you needed a boost when you felt lost or ready to quit, he was the first person to make time for you, and that kindness defined his career. The high standards of this program, the success rate of our graduates and the reputation we enjoy across the industry are direct reflections of Bill’s unshakeable vision. He built his legacy, brick by brick, student by student and friend by friend.
And now, we ensure that his legacy is cemented forever as the foundation of our future.
It is with great privilege to announce the formal dedication of the Richmond Lab, henceforth to be known as “The William “Bill” Dixon Lab of Learning Excellence”.
To Bill Dixon: Thank you for the lessons that reached far beyond the classroom. Thank you for showing us what excellence truly looks like.
Penned by Sherrie Dickerson, ABC-VA Education Manager
