Supporting, prioritizing your crew’s well-being with AI + more By Michael Bertolone Look at any job description for a construction supervisor and you’ll find most the responsibilities revolve around organizational work. A superintendent coordinates all the activities of the site, including managing project costs, schedules, materials, subcontractors, etc. Usually, there’s a line thrown in about managing people. Despite such a small mention, we all know how difficult and impactful good management can be. In today’s industry, effective management has taken on new meaning to include not just the development of job skills and physical safety, but also mental health. As … Read more
American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, Bechtel Partner to Prevent Construction Worker Suicides
The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention and Bechtel recently entered a multiyear partnership dedicated to saving lives in the construction community lost to suicide. The new partnership will reach 500,000 U.S. construction workers over five years through industry-specific programs and resources developed by AFSP and Bechtel. The general contractor’s $7-million commitment to AFSP will fund the effort and is the largest-ever pledge received by AFSP. The construction industry has one of the highest suicide rates of any profession in the U.S. In fact, the number of suicides in the industry is nearly five times higher than the number of lives … Read more
Faith Technologies Incorporated Receives Mental Health Visionary Award from Construction Working Minds
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
Research Projects Focus on Preventing Suicide and Opioid-Related Deaths in Construction
In January 2023, CPWR invited proposals from construction professionals and researchers across the U.S. to tackle the issue of suicide and opioid-related deaths in the construction sector. Nineteen proposals were submitted and reviewed by experts, resulting in five projects receiving $50,000 each from a private donor. The evaluation of programs and interventions for their efficacy and scalability was a top priority in the selection process. The researchers will report on their findings in 2024. Evaluating the Implementation and Effectiveness of New Peer-Support Programs in Two Building Trades Unions — Washington University in St. Louis The Greater St. Louis Construction Laborers … Read more