America’s hardworking construction professionals have contributed substantially to the betterment of our country and the world; they are vital to our nation’s future. Tragically, about four times as many construction workers lose their lives to suicide compared to the general population – one of the highest suicide rates among all professions in the U.S.
Bechtel and the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP) recently announced a new, multiyear partnership dedicated to saving lives in the construction community lost to suicide. Bechtel’s $7 million dollar commitment to the AFSP will provide critical resources and programming to 500,000 U.S. construction workers over the next five years.
The initiative will leverage Bechtel’s industry knowledge and reach in combination with AFSP’s expertise in research, education, and effective prevention strategies, as well as its national network of local chapters.
“This is the start of a long-term, sustained effort to lift up the whole construction community. We want to see mental health become as much of a priority as physical safety in our industry. It’s our belief that addressing suicide in construction is as vital as wearing a hard hat on site. This is the next frontier in taking care of each other.”
- Brendan Bechtel, Chairman & Chief Executive Officer
“The partnership with Bechtel is the first of its kind for AFSP, and we are thrilled to be collaborating with an industry leader that is focused on improving the mental health of the construction industry as a whole. We’re excited to be building a team within AFSP dedicated to this important initiative aimed at reaching thousands of people in need and preventing suicide.”
- Robert Gebbia, CEO of AFSP
Breaking Ground: Confronting Suicide in the Construction Community
Bechtel, AFSP, and the North America's Building Trades Unions recently came together for a conversation on confronting suicide in the construction community - creating a space for mental health and construction experts to trade insights.
Bechtel welcomes participation from others in the industry, as this partnership forms a construction working group and a first-ever senior advisory council to help guide the effort.
“We know we cannot meet this challenge alone. Real change will take all of us. We want to build an industry-wide effort, and we are actively encouraging others in construction to join us."
- Brendan Bechtel, Chairman & Chief Executive Officer
“All of us who work in construction have seen gains in physical safety that were once unimaginable, become the standard for success. It’s time to bring the same mindset, resources, and innovation to the issue of mental health and suicide prevention.”
- Sean McGarvey, President of North America’s Building Trades Unions
Watch the full conversation here:
