Editor’s Note: The very things that so many restorers love about their job—helping others in times of greatest need, the rush of adrenaline, and the constant demand for their services—are also the things that, if left unchecked, can lead to mental health challenges. Currently, there is research showing the presence of burnout among restorers, but little research on its impacts. To shine a light on this important issue, we’ve gathered three individuals who have helped champion the cause of mental health in our field. They share their perspectives on how mental health impacts restorers and offer suggestions for creating safer, healthier work environments for all.
1. What are the most common mental health challenges faced by professionals in the restoration industry?
Katie: Burnout, anxiety, depression, and compassion fatigue are just a few.
Professionals in the restoration industry often face unique mental health challenges due to the demanding nature of their work. Some of the most common mental health challenges we regularly hear people talking about are stress and burnout. Working in an urgent, always being “on” 24/7 environment compounded with intense workloads can lead to burnout. Obviously, when someone is working while burned out, they typically dislike their job, and their performance and morale suffer.
The other very common, but less discussed challenge is anxiety and depression. Exposure to traumatic situations can trigger anxiety and depression. Restoration professionals are dealing with trauma in a variety of forms on a daily basis. Over time, this takes a toll on an individual’s mental health. Due to the nature of restoration work, employees frequently deal with compassion fatigue. When we are constantly working with distressed customers who have suffered property damage or loss, our true compassion can start to wear us down. This constant exposure to trauma and emotional strain can result in compassion fatigue. It’s important to talk about how to maintain emotional boundaries while staying empathetic.
Eric: The long hours, dealing with stressed-out clients, being stuck in the middle between the carrier and the client, seeing lives in chaos, and all the hard work in tough and dangerous conditions.
Marcie: The restoration industry can be incredibly stressful. Professionals often deal with intense situations like disaster recovery, long hours, and high-stakes pressure to meet client expectations. This can lead to common mental health challenges like chronic stress, anxiety, and even depression. The unpredictable nature of the work, combined with physical demands and emotional toll, makes burnout a real risk for anyone in the field.
2. What strategies or practices do you use to manage stress and prevent burnout in your work?
Katie: Compassion fatigue is a real thing! Intentionally setting boundaries while staying empathetic is important and challenging. Learning how to know when you need to step out or take a break can make a big difference.
Another strategy is to find something you love and carve out time to prioritize it. Restorers get so busy taking care of everyone else and putting out fires that they abandon the activities they enjoy the most. It’s a bonus if this requires some physical activity because walking, playing a sport, etc., is a great way to manage stress.
Eric: Meditating twice daily, exercising nearly daily, spending time with family, and watching TV to zone out.
Marcie: Managing stress in this industry requires intentional practices. Some common strategies include setting clear boundaries between work and personal time, prioritizing physical health through regular exercise and sleep, and learning to delegate when the workload gets heavy. Staying organized and having a solid team you trust can also make a huge difference. Taking time to unwind—whether it’s through hobbies, meditation, or just spending time with family—helps keep things in balance.
3. What are some practical steps that can be taken to integrate mental health support into daily operations and company policies?
Katie: We had a local clinician on the Success Elevated podcast discussing mental health, and he suggested restoration companies reach out to local counselors and explain the work that restorers do and how their practice could help. Surprisingly, some mental health professionals will offer pro bono and/or affordable company packages for employees or may come speak to your team. At a minimum, don’t be afraid to post flyers with a contact for a mental health professional in the event someone needs someone to talk to.
You may want to consider what trauma jobs or events automatically trigger team mental health resources. For example, a suicide trauma clean-up job may automatically trigger a variety of things, such as a team de-brief, one-on-one counseling, time off, etc.
Eric: I feel it’s important for management to be open to talking about mental health, as well as creating systems within the company such as gym memberships and offering free meditation apps. Also, creating a “battle buddy” concept to have a co-worker to talk to.
Marcie: To really support mental health in a workplace, it has to be woven into the company culture. Practical steps could include offering regular mental health check-ins, promoting a work-life balance by limiting after-hours communications, and offering flexible scheduling when possible. Another great move is to provide access to mental health resources like counseling services or stress management workshops. Regularly reminding employees that it’s okay to ask for help can go a long way.
4. Are there specific resources or support systems available within the industry for mental health? How effective are they?
Katie: None that are widely known. Spot On Solutions recorded our first mental health series on the Success Elevated podcast in 2023 because we were aware of how much mental health challenges were impacting our own team. The more we talked to restoration owners and health care professionals the more we recognized the need for more resources and conversation.
Marcie: Some companies in the restoration industry have started offering Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs) that include mental health services. These can provide short-term counseling or referrals to specialists. Larger industry organizations are also beginning to recognize the importance of mental health and provide resources, though it’s still not as widespread as it could be. Effectiveness really depends on how much buy-in there is from leadership and whether employees feel comfortable using these services without fear of stigma.
5. What advice would you give to new professionals entering the restoration industry about maintaining their mental health?
Eric: The first piece of advice is to let them understand the realities of the industry and that even though much of this may not affect them immediately, over time, it can become an issue. Preventative maintenance, such as the above answers, would be my advice.
Marcie: For anyone new to the industry, the biggest piece of advice is to pace yourself. It’s easy to get caught up in the fast pace and high stakes, but if you don’t take care of yourself, you won’t be able to give your best to the job. Build healthy habits early on —things like regular exercise, good sleep, and setting boundaries with work. Also, don’t be afraid to speak up if you’re feeling overwhelmed. The sooner you address it, the better off you’ll be.
6. How can restoration companies create a more supportive environment for mental health awareness and care?
Katie: One of the most impactful things is to actually make it safe to talk about. Employees are not expecting you to solve this, but acknowledging they are not alone, showing that you care, and providing some resources helps.
Consider adopting a policy about mental health. Put plans in place to have conversations following trauma situations and partner with professionals in your area to offer as a resource to your team.
Eric: Create open dialog. Possibly make someone in charge of support for mental health. The more resources you can offer the team and the more open dialog within the company to make sure everyone is okay will improve culture and performance.
Marcie: Companies need to lead by example when it comes to mental health. That means openly talking about it, offering resources, and creating a culture where people feel comfortable admitting they’re struggling. Managers should be trained to recognize signs of stress or burnout and encouraged to check in regularly with their teams. Flexible work schedules, mental health days, and transparent policies on how to seek help can also help create a more supportive environment.
7. Can you share any personal experiences or stories about mental health struggles in your career?
Eric: I had a cardiac event brought on by job stress in 2016. After that health scare, I realized I needed to change how I operated my business and my life to prioritize my health.
Marcie: Like a lot of folks in this industry, I’ve hit walls where I felt completely burned out. Long hours, especially after natural disasters, can really wear on you. One time after working back-to-back restoration projects, I realized I hadn’t had a real break in months. It took a toll on my energy and my patience, both at work and at home. I had to take a step back, delegate more, and prioritize some personal downtime. It’s easy to fall into that trap, but you’ve got to make self-care a priority.
8. Have you observed any changes in the industry’s approach to mental health over the years? What improvements would you like to see?
Eric: Not really. I do think some of the younger owners are more in touch with it, but as we all know, the industry is tough and fast-paced. Unfortunately, people’s mental health often takes a back seat to getting the work done.
Marcie: There’s been a slow shift toward recognizing mental health as a critical part of employee well-being in the restoration industry. More companies are offering resources, and mental health is becoming less of a taboo topic. That said, we’ve got a long way to go. I’d like to see more comprehensive mental health programs, with leadership taking an active role in promoting these resources and reducing stigma. Also, more attention to work-life balance would make a world of difference.
9. How can restoration professionals recognize signs of mental health issues in themselves and their colleagues?
Katie: You can recognize signs of mental health issues when behavior patterns change. It’s normal for everyone to have a bad day, but if that bad day turns into a bad week or a bad month, you can be pretty certain something is happening.
This might look like someone who is always on time starts to call in sick often or shows up late. You might notice their grooming becomes sloppy and they do not shower regularly or comb their hair like they used to. Our team has been trained by a mental health professional that when we notice things like this, it’s best to just casually check in. Ask how they are doing. Kindly and carefully point out some of the changes you are noticing and express concern. Asking and listening can be helpful. Of course, the better your relationship of trust is with your team, the easier it is to notice and ask in an appropriate way.
Eric: I cannot speak for others, but I know for me, it was evident when I could no longer find joy in things that I always loved before. I was so stressed out and always thinking about the jobs no matter what time or what I was doing. The ongoing jobs and the 24/7 nature of the industry never allowed me to decompress long to recover. I hear this same scenario from lots of my restorer friends.
Marcie: The signs of mental health struggles can be subtle at first, but there are red flags to watch for. These include chronic fatigue, irritability, trouble concentrating, and a general loss of motivation. If someone starts isolating themselves or seems emotionally distant, that’s a big clue something might be off. On the physical side, frequent headaches, trouble sleeping, and changes in appetite can also signal stress or anxiety. It’s important to be mindful of these signs in both yourself and your colleagues, and to encourage open conversations if you notice anything concerning.
Anything else?
Eric: I feel that the companies that invest in helping their team members with mental health and some more balance in their lives will be the ones that will attract the best talent and the ones that will keep their employees the longest. Over time, that is a huge competitive advantage.
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