June 2025: Men's Health Month
With over 90% of construction workers being male, the Bricklayers' Member Assistance Program (MAP) joins the U.S. and Canada in recognizing Men's Health Month. Many construction-related behavioral health issues can be prevented or addressed with awareness and education, so keep reading to learn more.
Relevant Facts and Figures:
- Construction workers are more likely to engage in several behaviors that are considered health risks (such as smoking, smokeless tobacco use, binge drinking, low leisure-time physical activity, and inconsistent seatbelt use).
- More than half of men do not get regular health screenings or engage in preventive care.
- Men are more likely than women to drink excessively, and to have higher rates of alcohol related hospitalizations.
- Men are more likely than women to use illicit drugs, and to have higher rates of illicit drug related hospitalizations and overdose deaths.
- Men are almost four times more likely to die by suicide than women.
- Men living with a mental illness are less likely to have received mental health treatment than women living with a mental illness.
- Nearly 1 in 10 men experience some form of depression or anxiety, but less than half seek treatment.
- Men have higher mortality and morbidity rates of coronary heart disease, hypertension, diabetes, and cancer.
- Loneliness - a risk factor for heart disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes, depression, anxiety, addiction, suicidality, and self-harm - appears to be more common in men than women.
What You Can Do:
- Address stigma and treatment avoidance (studies show that males who avoid or underutilize health care services, including mental health and substance use treatment, may do so because there is a false perception that such services threaten masculinity).
- Recognize signs and symptoms by getting screened (for behavioral health conditions and physical health conditions).
- Choose a primary care doctor if you do not already have one.
- Engage in preventive care by getting regular check-ups.
- Manage chronic pain with a medical professional. Discuss non-opioid pain management options to treat musculoskeletal injuries and disorders with your doctor.
- Know that help is available. Call MAP (1-833-MAP-TALK) for mental health and substance use related health matters, as well as guidance for locating a medical professional to address physical health issues.
For additional information and resources, please visit the following links:
If you or someone you know is experiencing a life-threatening emergency, please call 911. You may also obtain immediate 24/7 help from the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline by calling 988.
Spring/Summer 2025 (Dates Vary): AFSP Construction Hike for Hope
As a part of its initiative to help reduce deaths by suicide within the construction industry, the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP) is hosting various Construction Hike for Hope events around the US this spring and summer. Saving and improving lives is a driving mission of the Bricklayers' Member Assistance Program (MAP), and we encourage our members to join the efforts by learning more and signing up. There is no registration fee.
If you or someone you know is experiencing a life-threatening emergency, please call 911. You may also obtain immediate 24/7 help from the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline by calling 988.
