Avenues Recovery, an addiction treatment center in Colorado, is pleased to share that on World Suicide Prevention Day, the Colorado construction industry took a hard look at mental health awareness and suicide prevention in its workforce. According to CBS News, the statistics are alarming—construction workers are nearly twice as likely to die by suicide as all other workforces combined, and four times more than the general population. This sobering reality has compelled companies like Pinkard Construction to prioritize emotional well-being alongside the physical safety of their crews.
On a busy worksite in Denver, crews at Pinkard are racing against the clock to finish an affordable housing complex. However, the pressure of deadlines is just one of many factors contributing to a mental health crisis in the industry. "It’s very difficult to get construction workers to open up," says Dave Ruddy, Pinkard Construction’s Field Safety Manager. The longstanding "cowboy up" mentality is deeply ingrained in Colorado’s construction culture, where asking for help can feel like admitting defeat. But Ruddy, like many others, has started to rethink what worker safety really means.
Until recently, mental health wasn’t even on Ruddy's radar. As the company’s safety lead, his primary focus was compliance with OSHA regulations. However, the discovery that the suicide rate for men in construction is five times higher than other work-related fatalities stunned him. It became clear that the traditional emphasis on physical safety, while crucial, wasn’t enough to protect workers from the dangers of mental health struggles.
Pinkard Construction, alongside the Association of General Contractors, has responded by integrating mental health awareness into its safety protocols. During new-hire orientations, workers are encouraged to seek support from the safety team or HR without fear of judgment. Ruddy emphasizes that this openness is key: "We talk about how you can feel comfortable enough to go meet with the safety person or HR and have a conversation one-on-one, no questions asked."
Superintendents are also trained on how to handle situations when a worker expresses emotional distress. The old, hardened approach of telling someone to "toughen up" is being replaced with compassion and support. "We’re not going to tell them to cowboy up and get to work. We’re going to let them have that time out, that moment," Ruddy explains. In one instance, he spent five hours talking with a trade partner who was having a difficult day, reminding him that "family comes first" and that mental health is just as important as physical safety.
Reducing the stigma surrounding mental health is a top priority for Ruddy and the broader construction industry. Breaking through the notion that strength means dealing with problems alone is critical to fostering a healthier, more resilient workforce. "We just want to reduce the stigma," Ruddy says. "Sometimes we all need a little coaching, a little love."
The industry’s increased focus on mental health is a necessary step in addressing the unique pressures that construction workers face, from tight deadlines and physical demands to the emotional toll of working in a high-risk environment. By offering resources and creating a culture where workers feel safe asking for help, companies like Pinkard are working to turn the tide on an issue that has gone unaddressed for far too long.
If you or someone you know is struggling with mental health, you can call the Crisis Lifeline at 988 for support. The University of Colorado Johnson Depression Center also offers valuable resources for those in need.
As mental health awareness continues to grow within Colorado's construction sector, the hope is that fewer workers will fall through the cracks and that seeking support becomes as normalized as wearing a hard hat on the job.
If you or a loved one are suffering from a mental health disorder or addiction, reach out for the help you need today. No one deserves to suffer on their own. Avenues Recovery’s experienced and professional staff will stand at your side every step of the way to a happier and healthier future.