Faith Technologies Incorporated received the Mental Health Visionary Award at the third annual Construction Working Minds Summit in Kansas City, Missouri. This award recognizes construction organizations and leaders advancing employee well-being through mental health promotion and suicide prevention programs. “Achieving the Mental Health Visionary Award as a first-time applicant demonstrates FTI’s commitment to the total health and well-being of our team members,” said Alyssa Kwasny, wellness program director at FTI. “Through our Culture of Care, we continuously enable a positive and stigma-free environment where workplace mental health conversations are normalized.” FTI was recognized in the “Large Construction Company” category, designated … Read more
Mental Wellness in Construction
By Elizabeth Crowley Construction workers have always played a visible role in our nation’s prosperity and economic health. After all, they literally build our cities, go to heights where few other people venture and help modernize our world. Construction workers are known for their strength, determination and grit, but there is also a darker and, sadly, unconfronted reality to their work environment that needs more attention. Namely, the high rates of substance abuse, suicide and depression among our workforce. In fact, construction workers are five times more likely to die from suicide than from work-related injuries, and four times more … Read more
BTEA Promotes Mental Health Awareness for Construction Suicide Prevention Week, September 4-8
The Building Trades Employers’ Association, representing 1,200 union contractors in New York, is working to raise awareness about the importance of mental wellness in the construction industry, noting that September 4-8 is Construction Suicide Prevention Week. September is also National Suicide Prevention Month, which also draws attention to treatment services available to people seeking help and assistance. Approximately 5,000 construction workers die from suicide each year, and five times as many construction workers die from suicide than from a work-related injury. Construction workers are nearly four times more likely to die from suicide than the average American. In response to … Read more
Real Talk with Real Superintendents
Biggest 2022 challenges, gamechangers + 2023 drivers By Chris Maday Schmidt For the inaugural issue of the year, Construction Superintendent asked general contractors to weigh in on the hottest topics in the trades that have been trending over the past year, as well as driving the industry forward in 2023. We heard from Dale Ziegler, senior superintendent, Trident Construction Group; Superintendent Jordan Doggette, Robins & Morton; Chris Newton, general superintendent, JE Dunn Construction; Mike Foster, superintendent JE Dunn Construction and Mark Miracle, general superintendent, Messer Construction. The following is a recap of what respondents had to say: As a superintendent, … Read more
How Superintendents Can Support Mental Health on the Jobsite
By Sean Clements In June 2020, roughly 40% of American adults reported struggling with mental health – including 11% who seriously considered suicide. But in the construction industry, the statistics rank even higher, with 49 out of 100,000 men in construction dying of suicide, nearly twice the rate of men in other industries. These figures don’t lie, but it is certainly a challenge to address them adequately. In an industry where sensitive issues like mental health and stress are simply swept under the rug, struggling workers feel helpless and hopeless – or just completely invisible. The stigma associated with admitting … Read more