President's Message - June '26
Building a Stronger Jobsite: Why Mental Health Belongs in Every Safety Conversation
For Metal Building Contractors & Erectors Association members, safety has always meant more than compliance—it means protecting crews, strengthening companies, and building an industry people want to stay in. That is why mental health deserves a place right alongside fall protection, rigging plans, and pre-task meetings. The issue is not theoretical. According to [AGC of America], construction had the second-highest suicide rate among workers in 2021, with 56 out of every 100,000 male construction workers dying by suicide. [CPWR] also reports that construction carries a disproportionate burden of suicides and overdoses compared with its share of the workforce.
These numbers matter on real jobsites. [CPWR] notes that construction has one of the highest overdose death rates and one of the highest suicide death rates of any U.S. industry, while [AGC of America] continues to highlight the need for stigma reduction, supervisor awareness, and accessible support. For employers, foremen, and field leaders, the takeaway is simple: mental health is a workforce issue, a safety issue, and a business issue.
What to Watch for on the Job
- A crew member who suddenly withdraws from coworkers or isolates themselves.
- Noticeable mood swings, unusual irritability, or a short fuse that seems out of character.
- Declining productivity, missed deadlines, frequent tardiness, or unusual absenteeism.
- Loss of motivation, neglect of responsibilities, or signs that someone is struggling to stay engaged.
- Giving away tools, equipment, or other personal belongings that matter to them.
What MBCEA Members Can Do Right Now
- Make it part of the weekly routine. Add a short mental health or substance awareness topic to toolbox talks so the conversation becomes normal, not exceptional.
- Train leaders to notice and respond. Foremen and supervisors do not need to be counselors, but they should know how to recognize warning signs and connect workers with help.
- Reduce stigma from the top down. When owners, managers, and field leaders speak openly about stress, recovery, and asking for help, crews are more likely to do the same.
- Promote available resources clearly. If your company offers an Employee Assistance Program or other support, make sure every worker knows where to find it and that it is confidential.
- Remember that culture drives retention. An industry that protects both physical and mental well-being is better positioned to keep experienced people and attract the next generation of talent.
MBCEA exists to support the professional advancement of metal building contractors, erectors, and the industry as a whole. Bringing mental health into everyday jobsite conversations is one more way members can lead by example—protecting people, improving performance, and strengthening the future of our trade.
Resources:
911 for emergencies
988 for mental health crisis - you connect for free, confidential, 24/7 support with a trained crisis counselor at a local or regional call center. You do not need to be suicidal to call; the service helps with substance use, emotional distress, or any mental health crisis.
Other resources:
https://hardhatcourage.com/ (free tool box talks)
https://www.preventconstructionsuicide.com/resources
David Leinbach
President, MBCEA
President, Kaiser-Martin Group