It’s widely known that construction is a high-risk industry, but the greatest risk doesn’t happen on the jobsite. With a suicide rate of 56 per 100,000 male construction workers in the United States and 72 per 100,000 workers in Canada, the construction industry faces five times more suicides than all other construction-related fatalities combined.

There are many contributing factors — barriers to accessing treatment, working in remote areas away from family, high-pressure work environments, financial instability and the stigma around voicing mental health struggles in a male-dominated industry.

To reduce the kind of chronic stress that can negatively impact workers’ mental health, PCL job sites are intentionally designed to support connection and balance with strong relationships and flexibility. Field leaders often look for ways to relieve pressure for workers, including the ability to take time away or time off when needed, swapping people out of high-stress tasks, days off for teambuilding opportunities and simply checking in on them.

“PCL has always prioritized the health and well-being of its people — including mental health,” says Thomas Izykowski, PCL’s health, safety and environment (HSE) director. “Of course, we have deadlines and budgets to meet, but never at the expense of someone’s health. It’s just not in our culture to operate that way.”

Now, PCL is shifting the conversation from awareness to action and piloting a mental health training program in six offices across Canada and the United States with the long-term goal of expanding it enterprise-wide.

The mental health pilot training includes four modules in a one-day session that blends proactive and reactive support. Participants learn to recognize early signs of distress, build personal resilience and start conversations that connect coworkers to resources and support. 

The training is targeted at superintendents, HSE managers, operations leads and HRPD professionals.

“We’re not trying to make our people mental health experts,” said Michelle Arthurs, national director of human resources and professional development. “It’s about giving them the confidence to say, ‘I see you’re struggling. Let me help you find support.’”

Arthurs emphasized that the goal is to build a culture where people feel supported and empowered to ask for help without fear of judgment.

“This is about culture,” she said. “It’s not a poster campaign or a sticker on a hard hat. It’s a long-term investment in our people.”

The pilot program isn’t a starting point — it’s a continuation of what PCL teams have been doing for years.

Christopher Saia, HSE manager for PCL’s Denver Buildings office, began leading mental health efforts long before the corporate pilot was announced. In 2018, when he was overseeing a remote mountain project in Colorado, he noticed how isolation, long hours and time away from home were wearing on the crew. He decided then that it was time to act.

“We’re in a people business,” Saia said. “You’ve got to treat people as people. Ask how they’re doing. Build those relationships. That’s how you prevent burnout and tragedy.”

At a jobsite meeting with more than 800 workers, he shared suicide prevention hotline resources and made printed materials available. He was initially unsure how the materials would be received.

“At first, no one made eye contact,” he said. “But when we handed out resources, people were scanning the QR codes and quietly grabbing flyers to tuck into their vests. That’s when I knew this was important.”

That initiative grew into a broader commitment. Saia now represents PCL in a Suicide Prevention Working Group for the Colorado chapter of the Associated General Contractors of America. As part of the group, general contractors share best practices and partner with local agencies to expand outreach.

“We build communities,” Saia said. “That starts with taking care of the one we work in every day.” 

PCL’s Minneapolis office has also been championing mental health through training, community partnerships and high-visibility events. Trent Johnson, vice president and district manager, has long been a personal advocate for mental health and suicide prevention. When a guest speaker shared a personal story of loss during a recent jobsite meeting, he became determined to implement these priorities within his district.

“That was the moment I realized I needed to take action,” Johnson said. “We’re all aware mental health is an issue. But what are we doing about it?”

The office began rolling out QPR (Question, Persuade, Refer) training for salaried employees, designed to help individuals recognize warning signs of suicide and take action by questioning a person about their thoughts and feelings, persuading them to seek help and referring them to professionals for assistance. It was then followed up with Mental Health First Aid for field supervisors. “Those are the people most likely to see when someone’s struggling,” Johnson said. “They need to know how to respond in the moment.”

Mental health is also deeply woven into community efforts. The office partners with the Minnesota Construction Coalition for Mental Health and Suicide Prevention and sponsors the Liam Medd Memorial Tournament, which raises awareness in youth baseball circles. Through its annual charity golf event, PCL has donated tens of thousands of dollars to Your Wings of Hope and the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention.

“These efforts are about more than fundraising,” Johnson said. “They’re about visibility and conversations. Even our interns are now talking about mental health during presentations and that tells me we’re heading in the right direction.” 

In Calgary, the focus has been on building an everyday culture of well-being. The district’s employee-led “Well PCL” Committee organizes events throughout the year to support mental health including ski days, bike-to-work events, family movie nights and more. They also have a dedicated Community Building Committee that partners with local nonprofits to organize donation drives and volunteer opportunities to help provide connection and purpose outside the workplace.

Last May, the team moved into a new office designed with employee wellness in mind. The space includes a quiet wellness room, an on-site gym and collaborative break areas equipped with puzzle stations and table games to encourage screen-free rest throughout the day. The district has also partnered with Alpha House to provide training on engaging respectfully with vulnerable populations to further reinforce a culture of empathy and safety.

PCL is one of 12 general contractors collaborating with the Canadian Construction Safety Council (CCSC) to enhance safety standards across Canada’s construction industry. Through shared strategic objectives, the CCSC provides resources and education that support not only on-site safety but also the mental health and overall well-being of construction workers.

“We don’t treat mental health like a once-a-year initiative,” said Paul Garnier, an operations manager who will be participating in PCL’s mental health pilot program. “We embed it into our work through our committees, our spaces and our conversations. It’s just part of the culture now.”

PCL’s commitment to mental health and harm reduction goes beyond a pilot program. By moving from awareness to action, PCL is working to build a safer future for everyone in construction.