Yale New Haven Hospital Reaches New Heights with Mental Health at Foundation

As Connecticut’s Yale New Haven Hospital Bed Tower project reached new heights in fall 2023 — with steel erection in full swing and concrete slabs following closely behind — so did a new kind of partnership. Project general contractor Turner Construction Company, and Yale New Haven Health, came together to focus not only on building a world-class healthcare facility, but also to support the mental health and well-being of the workforce.

The Centers for Disease Control reports that construction has the highest suicide rate of any industry and, with hundreds of men and women working onsite, this flagship project in downtown New Haven provided an opportunity to raise awareness and reduce the stigma surrounding addressing mental health issues in the construction industry.

Turner project leaders approached Yale New Haven Health to collaborate on a shared mission. The response was overwhelmingly positive and, from there, the partnership was born.

Leveraging Yale New Haven Health’s resources and expertise, the team organized its first site-wide event: a stand-down on World Mental Health Day, facilitated by Bud Wassell, Yale New Haven Health’s coordinator for employee and family resources. The discussion focused on employee assistance programs, offering insight into how these services support union tradespeople, the confidentiality of the process and what to expect when reaching out.

Over the next year and a half, additional events covered topics such as suicide awareness and prevention, stress reduction, opioid awareness and naloxone training. Each session delivered critical information and resources, fostering an open dialogue about mental health on the jobsite and an environment that prioritizes the well-being of the men and women building this landmark project.