The Senate Labor Committee held a hearing on a bill authored by Senator Judy Seeberger (DFL-Afton) on Tuesday, April 8. The bill, Senate File 2744, would appropriate $1 million to the Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry to promote mental health initiatives in the construction industry over the next two years.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the rates of mental health concerns among construction workers are higher than the general population. Additionally, the suicide rate in the construction industry is over three times higher than the general population.
“Whether you’re a nurse, a farmer, a teacher, a trades worker, or any other type of professional, your mental health matters,” said Senator Seeberger. “It’s crucial that we not only improve physical workplace safety for hardworking Minnesotans, but also promote mental health resources for these folks. In an industry where scheduling and workload often vary, it’s essential that these workers have supportive workplace cultures where mental health is not stigmatized. I look forward to continuing this work, because as Minnesotans, we know that we all do better when we all do better.”
Senate File 2744 was laid over for possible inclusion in a Labor Committee omnibus bill.