About three years ago, Dwight Miller received a connection request on LinkedIn from a contract lineman who also gave presentations on mental health. Miller did not accept the request, and later learned that the lineman had died by suicide. This experience led Miller to reflect on the importance of mental health among linemen.
Miller notes that linemen are five times more likely to die by suicide than from job-related incidents, with this statistic largely reflecting those working as contractors. Tom Murphy, founder of Sweethearts and Heroes, describes mental health as the “fifth wire” that linemen must manage in addition to their regular duties.
Currently, Miller is addressing mental health in his safety meetings under the theme “Fit for Duty.” He shares personal stories, including that of his wife Denise, who experiences severe anxiety rooted in her childhood caring for a mentally ill mother. Miller points out that 50% of all mental illnesses begin by age 14.
According to Miller, anxiety and depression are common forms of mental illness affecting nearly one in four people in the United States. Many individuals struggling with these conditions work alongside others every day, including those performing high-risk tasks like maintaining power lines.
Miller highlights that men die by suicide at four times the rate of women. He attributes this disparity to differences in how men and women seek help; while women tend to reach out to friends or family when hurting, men often keep their struggles private until they become overwhelming.
Tom Murphy’s recent article in Incident Prevention magazine outlines three strategies for supporting lineworkers’ mental health:
“The shield of vulnerability,” which encourages creating circles where members can share openly and foster belonging;
“The sword of stigma obliteration,” which addresses cultural norms and misconceptions that prevent open discussion about struggles;
And “the armor of peer networks,” which builds mutual support systems to watch for signs such as emotional withdrawal or talk about death.
Miller adds a fourth strategy based on Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs: developing an others-centered mindset. He believes fulfillment comes from serving others and making a difference through self-sacrifice.
He concludes by emphasizing care as fundamental to workplace safety programs: “If we just care for one another and create an atmosphere of open communication, you might make just enough difference for someone else that helps them to make it through a rough season in their life.”
