The Associated General Contractors of Minnesota Foundation (AGC of MN Foundation) has been awarded a $450,000 state grant through the Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry to lead a bold, statewide initiative addressing the mental health crisis and high rates of suicide within Minnesota’s construction industry.
At the heart of this initiative is the creation of the Minnesota Construction Mental Health Alliance — a lasting, industry-wide coalition of contractors, labor leaders, apprentices and project owners dedicated to embedding mental wellbeing into the foundation of construction safety.
Construction consistently ranks among the industries with the highest suicide rates nationwide. Behind these statistics are fathers, mothers, sons and daughters — and a growing recognition that true jobsite safety must include mental and emotional wellbeing along with physical protections.
In partnership with the Minnesota Building and Construction Trades Council and Mercury Creative Group, the AGC of MN Foundation will lead a comprehensive, evidence-based effort to change the culture of mental health in construction across Minnesota.
“This grant represents a major step forward in acknowledging that mental health is a construction safety issue that must be addressed and valued at the same level as physical safety,” said Tim Worke, AGC of Minnesota CEO. “By working side by side as contractors, labor and project owners, we can save lives and build a healthier, more supportive construction workforce.”
Industry-Wide Impact
The initiative will serve Minnesota’s entire construction community: apprentices, tradespeople, supervisors, contractors and company leaders across all sectors of the commercial construction market in rural and urban regions, and both public and private projects. Historically under-resourced communities will be prioritized to ensure equitable access to training and support.
Three Outcomes
• Suicide Prevention Training: Expansion of VitalCog in Construction Suicide Prevention Training, providing workers and leaders with the tools to recognize warning signs, respond effectively and normalize help-seeking behaviors.
• Apprenticeship Mental Health Curriculum: Development of a culturally responsive, multilingual mental health curriculum integrated into registered apprenticeship programs statewide, reaching more than 1,500 apprentices.
• Leadership and Systems Change: Creation of the Minnesota Construction Mental Health Alliance, a coalition of contractors, labor leaders and project owners committed to making mental health a standard safety expectation across the industry.
Sustainable Approach
Year one will focus on curriculum development, leadership frameworks and expanded training. Year two will emphasize statewide implementation, accountability and long-term sustainability, ensuring that this work continues well beyond the grant period.
“This partnership demonstrates what’s possible when labor and employers come together with a shared commitment to supporting people,” said Tom Dicklich, executive director of the Minnesota Building and Construction Trades Council. “This initiative will help ensure every worker has access to the resources they need to keep them safe, both physically and mentally.”
For more information, visit: constructionmentalhealthmn.org.
Source: www.constructionequipmentguide.com
