By Sonya Bohmann, Construction Industry Alliance for Suicide Prevention
When the first week of March comes up each year, any woman who works adjacent to the industry or adjacent to the field in this industry questions, “Am I a woman in construction?”
Construction has always been an industry defined by grit, precision, and resilience. But for the growing number of women stepping onto job sites, those qualities take on an entirely different weight. They’re not just building structures—they’re navigating a landscape where gender expectations, workplace culture, and mental health challenges intersect in ways that often go unseen.
As conversations about mental wellbeing gain momentum across industries, it’s time to shine a light on the unique pressures women in construction face and the changes needed to support them.
Despite progress, women still make up a small fraction of the construction workforce. Some industry facts around women in construction: In 2023 there were 71 million women in the workforce and over 1 million in construction, which is about 9.9% of the work force. More than veterans, which make up about 6.2%. Being one of the few—or the only—woman on a job site can create a constant sense of visibility. Every mistake feels amplified. Every success feels scrutinized.
This pressure isn’t imagined. Gender bias, subtle microaggressions, and exclusion from informal networks can chip away at confidence and belonging. Even something as simple as not being invited to a post‑shift gathering can reinforce the feeling of being an outsider.
And then there’s safety. Women report facing inappropriate comments, harassment, or a lack of properly fitted PPE—issues that add emotional strain to an already demanding job.
Women carry 68% more of the mental load at home and often at work as well. This mental load can affect mental health and lead to feelings of stress, fatigue, and risk of burnout.
Coupled with the fact that women in the industry are already dealing with additional factors of being a Woman in Construction, it can add to the mental health challenges that plague our industry.
Construction work is inherently stressful. Long hours, physical demands, unpredictable schedules, and job insecurity all take a toll. The industry also has one of the highest rates of burnout and mental health struggles.
For many women, these pressures stack on top of societal expectations. They may be balancing caregiving responsibilities, managing household duties, or navigating the
emotional labor that often falls disproportionately on women. When the workday ends, the demands don’t.
Yet the culture of construction has historically discouraged vulnerability. Admitting stress or mental health concerns can feel risky—especially for women who already feel the need to prove their toughness.
Many women in construction don’t seek support even when they need it. Why?
Fear of being judged or sidelined, Lack of female mentors who understand their experiences, Limited access to mental‑health‑friendly policies on job sites, Concern that speaking up will reinforce stereotypes about women being “too emotional”
This silence isn’t a personal failing; it’s often a cultural issue. And it’s one the industry must address head‑on. A supportive environment doesn’t happen by accident. It’s built intentionally, just like any structure on a job site. Supervisors and managers set the tone. When they’re trained in mental health literacy and gender awareness, the entire site becomes safer—physically and psychologically. Anti‑harassment policies must be more than words on paper. Women need reporting pathways they trust and leaders who take concerns seriously. Programs like mental health champions, buddy systems, or on‑site wellbeing initiatives can make a profound difference. When workers look out for each other, everyone benefits.
In the words of Holly Thomas, a welder from Louisiana- It is hard to be what you can’t see.
Seeing women in leadership roles isn’t just inspiring—it’s protective. It reduces isolation, normalizes women’s presence in the trades, and creates pathways for mentorship. Mentorship, in particular, is powerful. It helps women navigate challenges, build confidence, and feel less alone. Highlighting success stories also shifts culture, showing that women belong in every corner of the industry—from apprenticeships to executive offices.
When women come together, they don’t just support each other—they change the industry.
Supporting women’s mental wellbeing doesn’t require reinventing the wheel. It requires commitment. The construction industry is evolving. As more women join the workforce, the need for inclusive, mentally healthy environments becomes impossible to ignore. Supporting women’s mental health isn’t just the right thing to do—it’s a strategic investment. Companies that prioritize psychological safety see higher retention, stronger morale, and better performance.
Women in construction are already proving their strength every day. Now it’s time for the industry to match that strength with support, understanding, and meaningful change.
Because when women thrive, the entire industry builds better.
About the author:
Sonya Bohmann- Executive Director- Construction Industry Alliance for Suicide Prevention. Coming from a commercial (re) construction having spent over a decade in the commercial remodel and refresh and facilities maintenance space. Giving her the unique understanding of how the industry works as well as the mental health challenges faced daily by construction workers. This experience has given her insight into how companies both large and small are tackling this worker crisis and what work still needs to be done.
