Frank is the “go-to” foreman at his line construction company in New Jersey. If there is a problem with the job, a difficult situation with the crews or an urgent or emergency job to be done, he and his crews will resolve the issue.

Mike, one of his lineworkers, is a sturdy man who is quiet, pleasant and hard-working. As an ex-Marine and a veteran of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, he's dedicated and always ready for action. He has a beautiful, lovely and understanding wife, two children and a dog. His life is fulfilled, so we thought!

Johnny, another lineworker from Frank's crew, is very close to Mike, who calls him his junior partner. Last week, Johnny noticed that Mike seemed a little distracted at work. While transferring energized 13 kV circuit conductors to a new replacement pole, Mike almost made a terrible mistake. He crisscrossed the phases during the transfer. Fortunately, Johnny saw it in time and warned Frank, who corrected the situation right away. After this close call, no one mentioned it after they returned to the yard.

Supporting a Crew Member

Yesterday, Frank got into an argument with Peter, an apprentice, because he was busy getting material for the next day's work and forgot to clean up the bucket truck cab.

Peter was surprised to see Frank get so angry, but he later said he seemed agitated, anxious and even disoriented sometimes. In fact, Frank had mentioned he hadn't had a good night's sleep in three days.

The next morning, Frank approached Peter to apologize, and he said, "Apology accepted," with a big smile and a warm hug. 

Frank opened up a little and said he felt trapped in life. His father had been diagnosed with terminal cancer, and he was falling behind in his mortgage monthly payments. His wife wanted him to participate more in the children's lives, and he was feeling overwhelmed.

Help is a Phone Call Away

Peter reassured Frank and told him he was always there for him. He also advised him that both the National Electrical Contractors Association (NECA) and the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) local unions sanctioned a Mental Health Lifeline accessible at 988. 

By calling this nationwide hotline, anyone, including lineworkers, can talk confidentially to compassionate, trained counselors who support individuals in crisis. Peter encouraged Frank to call the Lifeline hotline soon and told him that it was OK not to be OK. 

Furthermore, Peter stated that the distress that Frank was experiencing was not an isolated case, since more and more lineworkers and other people working in construction are or have experienced similar situations.

Frank thanked Peter for the information and for his support and encouragement. He promised to contact the 988 hotline very soon. Peter replied that returning home from work with his 10 fingers and toes, plus his mind at ease, was a blessing, and that he wanted the same gift for his friend Frank as well. 

By the Numbers

According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the suicide rate is 35% higher than two decades ago, and depression, anxiety and serious psychological distress are among the most significant symptoms experienced by workers undergoing a mental health crisis.

Also, the Center for Construction Research and Training (CPWR) detailed key findings of mental health studies of construction workers in the United States using 2021 data. For example, 15.4% of construction workers reported having anxiety or depression, but 84% of those reporting did not seek mental health professionals in the previous 12 months.

In addition, about five per 100,000 workers die from workplace injuries, whereas 46+ per 100,000 workers die from suicide per year. 

Remember, being fit for duty in both body and mind is the goal. Our families deserve no less!

Editor's Note: For last year's T&D World Lineworker Supplement, we highlighted the issue of mental health in the line trade with this story: Prioritizing the Mental Health of First Responders. 

You can also listen to an audio version of that article in our ICYMI series for the Line Life Podcast on Podbean.

We also have two other episodes in the three-part series, including a how-to episode offering strategies about how lineworkers can stay safe and healthy in the field and beyond and another episode featuring an interview with Jennifer Lavin of Union Care Solutions. 

Following the publication of that story, we received the contributed story above from Luis Ortega, a Certified Utility Safety Professional Emeritus and NELCA/IBEW LU3 Outside Utility Safety Director.

"IBEW Local Union 3 and NECA are working hard to provide useful tools and tips to our crews to address this mental health crisis," he said. 

Lineworkers, if you or your crew members or loved ones are facing a crisis or need help, remember to call 988 for a confidential hotline.