Building a Culture of Care: Addressing Mental Health, Suicide Prevention and Substance Misuse in Construction

By BRANDON ANDERSON

In construction, we pride ourselves on building the physical foundations of America – its roads, bridges, schools and hospitals. But today, we face an equally important task: building a culture that protects the mental and emotional well-being of the men and women who make this industry possible.

For too long, mental health challenges were considered issues to be handled privately, quietly or not at all. The result has been devastating. Construction consistently ranks among the industries with the highest rates of suicide in the U.S.

Substance misuse, often rooted in stress, chronic pain or untreated mental health conditions, remains a leading risk. Behind every statistic is a coworker, a friend or a family member whose life may depend on whether our industry chooses to act.

At the Associated General Contractors of Missouri, under the leadership of Len Toenjes, AGCMO chose to act. Today – across the wider AGC network – we have decided that silence is no longer an option. Safety must evolve beyond hard hats and hazard controls. Today, safety must also mean total worker well-being, compassion, connection and gratitude.

Why Construction Workers Are at Increased Risk

Construction work is demanding, both physically and mentally. Employees face long hours, seasonal layoffs, high-pressure deadlines and physically taxing labor. Many work through pain, putting off medical care because they don’t want to miss work or let their team down. Stoicism is often valued; vulnerability, less so. This culture can unintentionally discourage people from asking for help until a crisis occurs.

In addition, nearly every project site includes workers from numerous companies and backgrounds – which makes it challenging to offer consistent support systems. These realities underscore why our industry must take intentional and coordinated steps to protect mental well-being.

The Work of the AGC of America National Task Force for Mental Health

Recognizing the urgency of the problem, in 2022 AGC of America established the National Task Force for Mental Health, a collaborative initiative bringing together safety leaders, mental health professionals and contractors across the country. This task force has taken a proactive role by:

• Developing the largest open source, industry-specific mental health and suicide-prevention resources
• Offering the industry’s first toolbox talks for jobsite leaders
• Developing a comprehensive leadership training module for supervisors and front-line workers
• Promoting awareness campaigns to reduce stigma
• Sharing best practices from contractors that have successfully implemented mental health programs
• Hosting quarterly national webinars, bringing subject matter experts to the industry for all to learn from

This national effort has empowered local chapters, member companies and partners to lead meaningful change. We are integrating these materials into safety programs, leadership training and jobsite communications to ensure that support reaches workers where they are.

AGC of Missouri’s Commitment to This Mission

At AGC of Missouri, we believe mental health is a core safety issue, as fundamental as preventing falls or equipment accidents. We have made mental health and substance misuse prevention a priority by:

• Holding educational workshops for contractors
• Encouraging companies to adopt Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs)
• Supporting peer-to-peer initiatives that encourage workers to look out for each other
• Promoting open-door policies where concerns can be raised without judgment

One of our most impactful strategies has been embedding mental health conversations into regular safety practices. When a foreman starts a toolbox talk by acknowledging stress, fatigue or the importance of reaching out, it normalizes help-seeking behavior across the team.

Breaking the Stigma Through Connection

Suicide prevention in construction isn’t just about recognizing warning signs; it’s about creating a workplace culture where people feel connected, valued and supported. When workers know they’re not alone, they’re more willing to speak up when they are struggling.

Simple actions can make a real difference:

• Asking, “How are you really doing?”
• Encouraging breaks and healthy work-life balance
• Checking in on a coworker who seems withdrawn
• Sharing resources openly and without judgment

These conversations save lives.

Looking Ahead: A Call to the Industry

Every day the construction industry meets challenges head-on. The vigor, grit and not taking no for an answer is what makes the industry what it is. We have improved safety over the years through a focused approach, better equipment, rigorous training and a commitment to accountability. Now, we must apply that same determination to mental health.

The work of AGC of America’s National Task Force and the efforts taking place here in Missouri represent a turning point. But lasting change requires all of us – owners, contractors, supervisors and every worker on every jobsite.

If we are to build the infrastructure of tomorrow, we must also build an environment where every worker knows that his or her life matters, his or her struggles are valid and that help is within reach.

Because in construction, we build hope through action.

Brandon Anderson is vice president of safety for the Associated General Contactors of Missouri. Reach out to him at [email protected] or (636) 887-5207.