AGC of Minnesota is committed to addressing the mental health crisis within the construction industry. Below are some of the resources available to serve your firm:
Yolanda McIntosh, AGC's Director of Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion, is certified in Construction Gatekeeper Training, a curriculum by VitalCog. This training is the first nationally-recognized certified training program in suicide prevention in the workplace designed specifically for the construction industry. VitalCog in Construction Gatekeeper Training is designed to cultivate a construction industry community of employees who aspire to eliminate the devastating impact of suicide within their companies. To date, AGC of Minnesota is the only entity certified in Minnesota that offers this training. Contact Yolanda if you would like to have your employees take this crucial training.
AGC of Minnesota is a partner of the Minnesota Construction Coalition, which hosts an annual summit on suicide prevention and mental health for the industry. Last spring suicide survivor Kevin Hines was the keynote speaker.
Suicide Prevention and Mental Health Resources
Get Help Now. If you or someone else is thinking about suicide call the Suicide Prevention Lifeline, a free and confidential resource that connects individuals with trained counselors 24/7. Call 1-800-273-TALK (1-800-273-8255). Text HELLO to 741741. Or CLICK HERE.
Suicide Prevention Month (NAMI)
Suicide Prevention Awareness Month - MN Dept. of Health
National Suicide Prevention Week (AFSP)
From AGC of America:
- Presentations
- Toolbox Talks
- Healthy Coping & Personal Resilience Tools
- Preventing Suicide in Construction (English | Spanish)
- 12-Pack of Toolbox Talks
- Mental Health vs Mental Illness
- Reducing Stigma
- Stress
- Depression vs Anxiety
- Self-Care: More Than a Fad
- Awareness of Your Own Mental Health
- How to Get Help
- Suicide Awareness
- Alcohol & Drug Use
- Opioids & Other Pain Killers
- Feeling Fatigued
- Bullying - Beyond the Schoolyard
- Coins, Stickers, Banners, etc. - AGC of Missouri has developed a wealth of tangible items (HOPE Coins, Hard Hat Stickers, Banners, and "Let's Talk" conversation card sets) for download or purchase directly from the supplier. Their innovative outreach program titled Hang On Pain Ends (HOPE) offers a position of care and concern while also offering assistance to those who may be in crisis. While they have been gracious enough to design and make available this program, please respect the branding and acknowledgment of their contributors. If you have any questions, please contact Brandon Anderson.
- Posters/Banners 1 | Posters/Banners 2
- Stickers (RUOK | Hope Sticker - Circle Coin | Hope Sticker - Flag)
- "Let's Talk" Conversation Cards (please contact Brandon Anderson)
- Order Link for HOPE Coins - https://www.firstplacepins.com/products/associated-general-contractors-hope-coin
- Articles
- Myth Busters: Mental Health on the Jobsite (March/April 2023)
- Continuing to Shine a Light on Mental Health (January/February 2023)
- How AGC is Fighting the Suicide Epidemic (November/December 2022)
- Coming Together to Move Mental Health Forward (November/December 2022)
- On Worker Wellness (September/October 2022)
- Podcasts/Webinars/Videos/etc.
- Naloxone/Narcan in Construction: What You Need To Know (November 2023) Slides | Handout
- Contractors Care: An Industry of Support (April 2023)
- Hold On Pain Ends (September 2022)
- Address the Stress: Mental Health for You and Your Teams (May 2022)
- Pain Management for Contractors: Preventing, Identifying and Addressing Opioid Use/Abuse on the Jobsite (May 2022)
- Mental-Health Best-Practice Guide - Written as a Master’s Degree thesis by AGC of Washington safety director, Mandi Kime (CHST, B.S. & B.A., Central Washington University), this Mental-Health Best-Practice Guide is backed by member input to a construction-focused survey. Detailing eight practices that construction employers should consider, this is the first time, to our knowledge, that new data has been developed for mental health in construction that is completely accessible publicly.
- Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Program - AGC of Washington has written a FREE SAMPLE Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Program that can be incorporated into your existing written safety and health programs and policies.
From Minnesota Building Trades:
- Hazard Alert: Preventing Suicide Prevention in Construction — English and Spanish
- Toolbox Talk: Suicide Prevention in Construction — English and Spanish
- Infographics
- Additional Resources from the Center for Construction Research and Training (CPWR)
- Construction Industry Alliance for Suicide Prevention – Prevent Construction Suicide
Affiliate Mental Health Resources
- Bricklayers and Allied Craft Workers
- Cement Masons #633
- IBEW #110
- IBEW #292
- IBEW #343
- IUPAT
- Iron Workers #512
- LiUNA
- Operating Engineers Local #49
- Plumbers & Pipefitters #6, 15, 34, 455, 539
- Roofers #96
- Sheetmetal Workers
- Sprinkler Fitters
- Workplace Mental Health Resources (ifebp.org). International Foundation of Employee Benefits Plans. Podcasts and Blogs.