Executives from some of the nation’s largest construction companies and unions have launched a CEO Advisory Council aimed at reducing suicide rates and improving mental health across the industry.
The inaugural meeting, hosted by the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP), brought together leaders from Bechtel, Fluor, Turner Construction, North America’s Building Trades Unions (NABTU), Kiewit, Clark Construction and Skanska. The group represents more than 3 million construction and union workers nationwide.
The council was established in 2024 after Bechtel announced a $7 million, five-year pledge to AFSP — the largest in the organization’s history.
The meeting focused on evaluating current initiatives, identifying cultural and communication barriers, and setting goals for new education and support programs. Leaders emphasized the need to prioritize mental health alongside physical safety on jobsites.
In the coming months, the council will review existing efforts and develop strategies aimed at reaching workers across companies of all sizes.
