Construction CEOs Set Agenda to Tackle Suicide in Construction Industry

Top Construction Companies Convene for Inaugural CEO Council Meeting

, /PRNewswire/ -- Top executives from America's largest construction companies and unions hosted the inaugural CEO Advisory Council meeting focused on preventing suicides in the construction industry. Members of the CEO Advisory Council gathered to evaluate current initiatives, discuss industry-wide strategies, and establish goals to lower suicide rates and improve mental health across the construction industry. The meeting was hosted by the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP) and executives attended from Bechtel, Fluor, Turner Construction, North America's Building Trades Unions (NABTU), Kiewit, Clark Construction, and Skanska.

In October 2024, Bechtel formed the CEO Advisory Council as part of its $7 million, five-year commitment to AFSP — the largest pledge in AFSP's history and the largest single donation from the Bechtel Group Foundation.

"As leaders, it's our shared responsibility to help the construction professionals building our country get the resources and support they need to thrive," said Brendan Bechtel, Bechtel Chairman and CEO. "The high rate of suicide in the construction community demands that we find new and better solutions that prioritize mental health as much as we do physical safety. The partnership between CEOs from some of the industry's biggest and best companies, along with AFSP, will help us all achieve this goal faster and more effectively."

The inaugural CEO Advisory Council meeting served as a key moment to reflect on the partnership's first year and chart a course for the future. The council set clear goals for collaboration and outlined next steps to drive progress in reducing suicide rates within the construction industry. In the near term, efforts will focus on evaluating the impact of current initiatives and developing targeted education and support programs to address challenges such as cultural and communication barriers and resource gaps.

Together, the group represents more than 3 million construction and union workers across the U.S. This effort will bring resources and support to them — but it won't stop there. It also aims to reach construction workers and companies of all sizes nationwide.

CEO Advisory Council members also shared their perspectives, emphasizing the industry's commitment to addressing mental health challenges and creating meaningful change.

"Through our commitment to innovation, safety and productivity, DEWALT has been supporting the needs of professional tradespeople around the world since 1924," said Don Allan Jr., President and CEO, Stanley Black & Decker. "Today, 100 years later, DEWALT remains committed to this mission — our DEWALT Grow the Trades program carries forth this legacy and represents our $30 million commitment to support initiatives and programs for current and future skilled workers, including engagements that will bring experts in public and private partnerships together to help address the mental health issues impacting tradespeople. Together, in partnership with the Advisory Council, we are committed to identifying solutions and prevention strategies to support the construction industry."

"Over the last several years and on an annual basis, Fluor's global project sites and offices participate in STAND Up for Suicide Prevention Week to raise awareness about the suicide crisis in the construction industry," said David Constable, Chairman and CEO, Fluor. "In addition, Fluor leaders receive Question, Persuade, Refer (QPR) Gatekeeper Training for Suicide Prevention and Mental Health First Aid. The course teaches individuals how to recognize the warning signs of suicide and the process for referring a person to get the help they need. Fluor also deploys site specific programs to engage front line workers and supervisors in discussions about mental health awareness. Emphasizing a culture of care and prevention, Fluor supports employees' and subcontractors' holistic wellbeing and encourages open conversations about mental health."

"We are committed to creating and sustaining the right environment where people can be at their best, be authentic, and are treated with respect and dignity," said Peter Davoren, Chairman and CEO, Turner Construction Company. "We want to eliminate hate and bias in all its forms. We actively care about the people we welcome onto our projects so that they may feel extraordinary. Through industry-wide collaboration, we can accelerate progress in providing the resources needed to help workers recognize and respond to mental health challenges. Together, we will create a safer and healthier future for all."

"As a leader in suicide prevention, AFSP is well positioned to work alongside the construction community on this initiative to prioritize mental health in the workplace.  Although the industry has experienced a higher rate of suicide, we know through research that there are effective educational strategies and sound interventions that can curb this trend," said Robert Gebbia, AFSP CEO. "With the support of Bechtel, and commitment from other leading and dynamic industry leaders, we know we can make mental health on job sites as important as physical safety — and we are going to pave the way forward together to support construction workers now and in the future."

"In coming together, we are determined to raise awareness, destigmatize mental health challenges and drive meaningful change in our industry," said Richard Kennedy, President and CEO, Skanska USA.

"There is a significant opportunity in our industry to make sure our people and their families have access to the support and services they need to successfully manage their mental and emotional well-being," said Rick Lanoha, President and CEO, Kiewit. "Kiewit is pleased to continue in this important collective effort and pursue real, impactful ways to address this crucial issue — so that everyone in our industry is better for it."

"The well-being of our workforce is at the core of everything NABTU does, and NABTU is honored to serve on this CEO Advisory Council to better address the unique risks in our industry and develop comprehensive solutions that protect our workforce," said Sean McGarvey, NABTU President. "We thank Brendan Bechtel for his leadership in putting this together. The construction industry has long prioritized occupational safety and health, but we are now placing equal emphasis on mental health. Addressing the crisis of suicide in construction requires taking critical steps together as an industry to ensure that every worker has access to the resources, education, and support they need. Together, we will build a culture that fosters mental well-being and saves lives."

"Addressing mental health challenges is vital to ensuring the well-being of the talented men and women who serve as the foundation of our industry," said Robert D. Moser, Jr., CEO, Clark Construction. "Clark is honored to join with our peers in breaking down the stigma around mental health and advancing this critical work — raising awareness, providing education, and equipping our people and industry with the resources to foster a culture where mental health is prioritized just as much as physical safety."

"The numbers show why this matters. The suicide rate in construction is more than double the national average across industries. In fact, the suicide fatality is more than five times the rate of workplace fatalities. Our focus on workplace safety needs to be applied to mental health," said George Pfeffer, CEO, DPR Construction. "Construction is seen as a tough industry, but we're all just people at the end of the day, and sometimes we need extra help and support. This council is about tackling an issue that has been overlooked for too long."

Learn more about this initiative and how to get involved at Confronting Suicide in the Construction Industry | Bechtel.

About the CEO Council

Backed by the largest financial pledge in history to the AFSP, this initiative aims to develop research-based programs tailored to the construction industry, with a goal of reaching 500,000 U.S. workers over the next five years. The CEO Advisory Council will meet quarterly to evaluate current programs, address gaps, and create new initiatives focused on training, awareness, and expanding mental health resources for construction professionals.

About AFSP

The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention is dedicated to saving lives and bringing hope to those affected by suicide, including those who have experienced a loss. AFSP creates a culture that's smart about mental health through public education and community programs, develops suicide prevention through research and advocacy, and provides support for those affected by suicide. Led by CEO Robert Gebbia and headquartered in New York, with a public policy office in Washington, D.C., AFSP has local chapters in all 50 states, Washington, D.C., and Puerto Rico, with programs and events nationwide. Learn more about AFSP in its latest Annual Report and join the conversation on suicide prevention by following AFSP on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube.

As a reminder, suicide is a public health matter and most often a result of a mental health condition in combination with other risk factors. How we talk about suicide in the media can negatively or positively influence the health outcomes of those who are vulnerable to suicide. To reduce the risk of suicide contagion we encourage journalists to follow guidelines for reporting on suicide: www.afsp.org/safereporting.

About Bechtel

Bechtel is a trusted engineering, construction and project management partner to industry and government. Differentiated by the quality of our people and our relentless drive to deliver the most successful outcomes, we align our capabilities to our customers' objectives to create a lasting positive impact. Since 1898, we have helped customers complete more than 25,000 projects in 160 countries on all seven continents that have created jobs, grown economies, improved the resiliency of the world's infrastructure, increased access to energy, resources, and vital services, and made the world a safer, cleaner place.  

Bechtel serves the Energy; Infrastructure; Manufacturing & Technology; Mining & Metals; and Nuclear, Security & Environmental markets. Our services span from initial planning and investment, through start-up and operations. www.bechtel.com

Media Contact

Ashley Accardo, Bechtel
[email protected]

María Corral, AFSP
[email protected]

SOURCE Bechtel