January 15, 2025

Positive Mental Health Tips for Coal Miners

Alexandrea Sherman, BS, Mining & Mental Health Intern & Ashley Yaugher, Ph.D., Health & Wellness Faculty

statue of miners working


















Coal mining has long been one of the most challenging occupations in the country, yet it has received surprisingly little focus in research on mental health and quality of life. These positions are very labor intensive, but can result in a feeling of pride after a hard day's work. Unfortunately, Miners are dealing with the risk of bodily harm, serious injury, and even death on a near-daily basis, which keeps the body in a constant cycle of stress. Furthermore, being subjected to rotating shifts can cause disruptions in the body’s circadian rhythms (natural sleep cycles) that lead to insomnia and sleep deprivation. In addition, shifts in work availability and worries related to mines shutting down, can lead to a fear of not being able to provide for their families. 

Feeling proud of one’s job and then suddenly losing it can lead to intense symptoms of depression, and this is a very real possibility for miners. In 1984, there were 362.42 million reported hours worked by coal operators nationwide. In 2022, that figure has slowly dropped to 99 million hours (NIOSH, 2022). This is a staggering 73% decrease in hours worked! With clean and renewable energy on the rise and the mining industry remaining in cycles of stagnancy or decline, miners and their families are facing even bigger struggles that directly impact their well-being and mental health.  Unfortunately, rates of overdose, binge drinking, and suicide are more common in some occupations than others, including construction, oil and gas industries, and mining (NIOSH,2022).

Although many strategies to support the families of miners are still in the works, there are things miners can do now to boost their well-being. Below are four healthy coping strategies to get started on, today:

  1. Get quality sleep. We know, easier said than done, especially for coal miners who work long hours and have constant shift changes. The National Sleep Foundation recommends 7-9 hours of sleep to avoid significant health problems. Long-term sleep deprivation can lead to cognitive impairment, decreased immunity, weight gain, high blood pressure, and symptoms of depression (National Sleep Foundation, 2020). Things like keeping the temperature cool, minimizing noise and light in the bedroom, and refraining from eating a couple hours before bed can help improve sleep quality (See “resources” below).
  2. Speak up! It’s important to beat the mental health stigma that is prominent in rural communities. It is okay to be sad, frustrated, and even scared. Communication with family, friends, or spouses can go a long way in reducing stigma and making you feel better (Hoffner, 2022). Don’t feel afraid to reach out to a mental health provider, family doctor, or community resource if you need it. (A list of resources for mental health, substance use, and other community services is listed below).
  3. Find healthy ways to cope. Negative coping mechanisms like substance use, excessive spending, binge eating, oversleeping, and heavy gaming can be quick fixes but don’t provide long-term relief from stress. Try incorporating positive coping mechanisms into your daily and/or weekly lifestyle such as exercise, self-care, meditation, connecting with loved ones through socialization, and engaging in hobbies like cooking, painting, gardening, reading, or playing an instrument (SAMHSA, 2023).
  4. Make a plan. Fear of the unknown can be daunting, but less so if we are prepared for it. Sit down with a trusted person and review debt and spending habits and possible future job opportunities in the event of a job loss. Preparation can include starting an emergency fund, paying off high-interest debt, and keeping an updated resume (Ameriprise, 2024).

It’s a difficult atmosphere to navigate for blue collar workers everywhere. We await more research to help our coal miners feel secure and happy through transitions. For the time being, make sure to follow the steps above by getting good sleep, talking about your feelings, finding positive and healthy ways to cope, and being prepared for emergencies to decrease your stress. Take a look at the resources below for more in-depth information.

Additional Resources

References

Ameriprise. “Ameriprise Financial.” Ameriprise.com, 2024, www.ameriprise.com/financial-goals-priorities/personal-finance/how-to-prepare-for-job-loss.

Hoffner, Cynthia A. “Stigma Communication.” The International Encyclopedia of Health Communication, 29 Sept. 2022, pp. 1–11, https://doi.org/10.1002/9781119678816.iehc0977. Accessed 12 Dec. 2024.

Koci, K. (2024). Wellbeing, Mental Health, and Natural Resource Dependency in Rural Utah. All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Fall 2023 to Present, 172, 92–110. https://doi.org/10.26076/a920-2f95

National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health. (2022). Number of employee hours reported by mine operators and independent contractors by sector and year, 1983 - 2022 | NIOSH | CDC. Cdc.gov. https://wwwn.cdc.gov/NIOSH-Mining/MMWC/Employee/Hours

National sleep foundation. (2020, October 1). How Much Sleep Do You Really Need? National Sleep Foundation. https://www.thensf.org/how-many-hours-of-sleep-do-you-really-need/

Osborn, J., & Pandalai, S. (2023, October 10). Mental Health, Alcohol Use, and Substance Use Resources for Workers and Employers | Blogs | CDC. Blogs.cdc.gov. https://blogs.cdc.gov/niosh-science-blog/2023/10/10/mental-health-substance-use/

SAMHSA. “How to Cope.” Www.samhsa.gov, 13 Jan. 2023, www.samhsa.gov/find-support/how-to-cope.

Utah State University Extension. (2024, May 28). Well Being and Mental Health in Carbon County and Price. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8NHit6mtrYU