Abstract

Highway construction workers operate in high-stress, hazardous settings where they have to perform physically taxing labor in environments where exposure to variable weather conditions, heavy equipment, high volumes of vehicle traffic, and other conditions that induce stress and anxiety are the norm. Up to 70% of workers in this industry have reported experiencing mental health issues, including secondary traumatic stress, post-traumatic stress disorder, depression, anxiety, and substance abuse disorders. Few state departments of transportation, however, offer adequate resources staff can draw on to effectively manage their psychological well-being. To help Kentucky Transportation Cabinet (KYTC) roadway maintenance and construction workers develop the requisite skills to manage their mental health and handle high-stress situations, the Kentucky Transportation Center (KTC) developed and delivered a mental wellness training for KYTC staff focused on stress management techniques, healthy habits (including nutrition), and coping mechanisms. Post-training surveys found the training improved awareness of stressful and traumatic workplace experiences and helped participants feel more confident in their abilities to negotiate challenges and implement stress management techniques. Following training, participants also expressed a greater willingness to follow wellness and safety protocols in stressful situations. The Cabinet should continue to offer the training, but it needs to be customized to address the unique environments and occupational roles occupied by staff. KYTC will also benefit from holding short refresher trainings, more fully integrating considerations about mental health into policy and planning, and appointing peer advocates to demonstrate and promote habits that foster psychological wellness.

Report Date

6-2025

Report Number

KTC-25-21

Digital Object Identifier

https://doi.org/10.13023/ktc.rr.2025.21

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