Advocating for mental health in the construction industry can feel lonely. You’re fighting stigma and trying to convince people it’s ok to talk about mental health in an industry that’s built on toughness and getting the job done.
But at the fifth annual Construction Mental Health & Wellbeing Conference, that isolation disappeared. Hundreds of people — construction workers, mental health professionals, union reps, safety directors, people with lived experience — all working on the same problem: how do we keep construction workers alive and thriving?
The Construction Mental Health & Wellbeing Conference is an annual gathering specifically focused on addressing the high suicide and addiction rates in construction, rates that are significantly higher than any other industry. Hosted by United Suicide Survivors International, the conference brings together contractors, union leaders, safety professionals, and mental health advocates from across the country. It covers what matters: suicide prevention, addiction recovery, overdose prevention, and workplace culture improvement. Through keynote sessions, workshops, and networking opportunities, attendees share evidence-based strategies for supporting the mental health of those in the construction industry.
Lines for Life’s Construction Suicide Prevention Partnership (CSPP) team had the privilege of attending this event to share resources, connect with others doing this work, and participate in important conversations about the future of mental health in construction. What we learned reinforced something critical: meaningful change doesn’t happen in isolation. It requires collaboration.
Our team shared resources and led a breakout session on the Construction CareLine with Lines for Life Crisis Lines Director Chris Nathe and former CSPP Chair Bill Barr. One important message they shared: the Construction CareLine isn’t just for people in crisis. You can call if you’re going through a difficult time, if you’re worried about a coworker, if you need mental health resources, or if you just need someone to talk to. You don’t have to wait until you’re in crisis to ask for help. Call when you first notice things getting hard or when you’re still functioning but struggling. The earlier you reach out, the easier it is to get back on solid ground.
Another highlight of the summit was recognizing leadership in mental health advocacy. Judy Cushing, founder and former CEO of Lines for Life, received this year’s Lifetime Achievement Award. Judy spent her career building the infrastructure that makes programs like CSPP possible. What makes Judy’s impact even more remarkable is that even in retirement, she hasn’t stopped. She continues to support Lines for Life and CSPP, helping foster growth and expand reach in the construction industry.
The work we do at CSPP stands on the foundation Judy built. We’re grateful for her decades of tireless advocacy and her continued support of this mission.
We’re also thankful to everyone doing this work across the country. We’re honored to support construction workers through the Construction CareLine and we’re committed to continuing this work until mental health in construction looks fundamentally different than it does today.
If you need support, reach out.
Call the Construction CareLine: 503-433-7878 or visit oregonconstructioncareline.org.
