May is Mental Health Awareness Month in the United States. June is Men’s Health Month. For manufacturers competing for employees, these important topics often are overlooked.
Manufacturing is known as a male-dominated industry. Studies have shown that men are less likely to speak up about their mental health. One study published by the journal Social Psychiatry and Psychiatric Epidemiology showed that mental health issues are 36 percent more prevalent in manufacturing employees than the national average.
In 2020, during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported that 31 percent of U.S. adults reported struggling with mental health issues such as anxiety and depression. The CDC also reported that over one-third of employees reported suffering from anxiety or depressive disorder.
Studies show that employees in the manufacturing industry also report low levels of support from their coworkers and supervisors. Manufacturing employees often are tasked with assignments that require focus and precision. Studies have shown that two of the most significant stressors in the manufacturing industry relate to meeting production goals and the variable shift in schedules. Moreover, noise from machinery, long hours indoors, and the lack of opportunity for social interaction can add to employee stress levels.
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