CHICAGO — The restoration industry is beginning to address a mental health crisis among workers who regularly respond to catastrophic losses — including deaths, fires, and floods that destroy families' homes and possessions — and who face elevated rates of post-traumatic stress disorder, depression, and burnout as a result.
Restoration technicians are among the first responders to some of the most traumatic events in people's lives. They work in homes where people have died, where families have lost everything, and where the physical environment — charred remains, sewage-contaminated floodwater, mold-covered belongings — is itself a source of psychological distress.
A 2025 survey by the Restoration Industry Association found that 42 percent of restoration technicians reported symptoms consistent with burnout, 28 percent reported symptoms of depression, and 18 percent reported symptoms consistent with PTSD. The rates were significantly higher among technicians who had responded to mass casualty events or catastrophic disasters.
Industry organizations are developing mental health support resources including employee assistance programs, peer support networks, and training for supervisors on recognizing and responding to signs of mental health distress in their teams. Several large restoration companies have hired mental health professionals to provide on-site support following particularly traumatic jobs.
The RIA has partnered with the Construction Industry Alliance for Suicide Prevention to develop restoration-specific mental health resources and is working to reduce the stigma around mental health discussions in an industry culture that has traditionally valued toughness and resilience over vulnerability.
