Building a Culture of Care: Mortenson’s Commitment to Mental Health and Suicide Prevention in Construction
The construction industry is the backbone of our communities, yet it faces a silent crisis: mental health challenges and suicide rates that impact thousands of workers every day. One in five construction workers struggle with mental health issues, and 15% suffer from substance abuse disorders. Men are four times more likely to die by suicide than women.
The suicide rate in construction is nearly four times greater than the national average, at 56 per 100,000 workers. In fact, more construction workers die by suicide each day than all other workplace-related fatalities combined; almost six times the rate of all construction fatalities combined.
Mortenson is dedicated to increasing awareness and creating a supportive culture on our jobsites. In Utah, we have established a strong partnership with the Huntsman Mental Health Foundation (HMHF), working together to break the stigma surrounding mental health, providing valuable resources, and making mental healthcare more accessible for our team members and the broader construction community. HMHF is transforming the way mental healthcare is treated and researched. Mortenson is proud to partner with this organization that is dedicated to making mental healthcare more accessible for all.
Partnering with Mortenson has been a highlight of my work at Huntsman Mental Health Foundation. Their authenticity, generosity, and drive to make a difference set them apart as true advocates for mental health, striving to build stronger and healthier communities.
At our Eagle Mountain project, Mortenson holds quarterly Lunch & Learns for construction teams, focused on various mental health topics. HMHF collaborates with the Huntsman Mental Health Institute (HMHI) to bring in researchers and clinicians who develop presentations and speak on these important subjects. Each Lunch & Learn has seen a great turnout, and attendees can stay after the presentations to meet individually with HMHI personnel to discuss questions or concerns.
Several mental health “work benches” have been set up on the project site, stocked with handouts and a variety of morale boosters for team members to take as needed. These include hard hat stickers, mini tools, stress balls, and other items featuring HMHF branding and motivational quotes, all designed to support mental wellbeing on the job. Banners with QR codes are displayed on either side of the work benches, linking directly to an online landing page with electronic mental health resources. This allows team members to easily access materials from their phones, putting support and information right at their fingertips.
Looking ahead, Mortenson is working to incorporate mental health awareness into our safety culture, no different than any other issue that threatens our construction community.
Learn more about how our Eagle Mountain Project team is giving back to the community: