A new collaboration between the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP) and CONEXPO-CON/AGG will bring resources and education about mental health and suicide prevention directly to conference attendees in the construction workforce, an industry that faces one of the highest suicide rates of any profession.
“This partnership is about bringing real resources and tools directly to the people who need them most,” said Ryan Price, MPA, Senior Director of Special Projects at AFSP.
This effort is part of the Hard Hat Courage suicide prevention initiative, which is led by AFSP in collaboration with a coalition of advisors and partners from across the construction industry. The initiative underscores a growing movement to break the stigma around mental health in construction to create safer, more supportive workplaces.
WHY THE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY
The construction industry is disproportionately impacted when it comes to suicide rates, Price explained. He pointed out that this reality has been recognized for years, but only recently has the industry begun really confronting it head-on.
“It’s a call to action,” he said. “In so many ways this is a wake-up call to say, ‘wow, as an industry, we've got to do something.’” Construction workers have long hours, physical demands and a male-dominated culture that often discourages talking about feelings. Price said the industry is starting to take an important step: acknowledging that mental health is just as critical as physical safety.
“There's a whole profession of safety professionals that just focus on physical safety. And we want to have that same sort of attention to detail, that same consistency, when it comes to mental health,” Price said.
THE AFSP AND CONEXPO-CON/AGG PARTNERSHIP
So what does the partnership actually mean? At its core, it’s about connection and accessibility. The partnership means that when you come to CONEXPO-CON/AGG 2026, you’re not just going to see equipment: you’re going to see programs that help you, your coworkers and your family.
“Part of our work together is bringing suicide prevention education to CONEXPO-CON/AGG to start conversations about mental health and share resources with people who are attending,” Price said.
The partnership aims to create a pathway to action. AFSP is meeting the workforce where they are and sharing free tools to take back home after the show ends.
“We hope to identify and meet some people that are ready to take that next step and bring suicide prevention education and awareness materials to their workplaces so that ideally it will become a normal part of the workplace conversation.”
RESOURCES THAT MAKE A DIFFERENCE
Talk Saves Lives: An Introduction to Suicide Prevention is AFSP’s core education program. Its construction adaptation provides an overview of suicide in the construction industry, highlights the latest research on warning signs and risk factors, and shares proven strategies that can help prevent it.
Something as simple as, ‘Hey, I’ve noticed you don’t seem yourself lately, want to grab a coffee?’ can make a huge difference.
“It's a great way to help normalize the conversation for others in construction who are a little bit hesitant,” Price said.
Price said AFSP also has programming that fits the realities of construction jobsites. The Hard Hat Courage initiative equips leaders with the right words to check in with a coworker.
The free program has Toolbox Talks, available in English and Spanish, to help bring mental health and suicide prevention into everyday safety culture on construction sites, sparking important conversations right on the job. The Hard Hat Courage initiative presents a collective commitment to save lives by ensuring it’s safe to talk about mental health openly, every day and on every site.
Acknowledging the problem in the industry and knowing the warning signs are two key components for leadership.
“Trust your gut,” Price advised. “If something doesn't seem right, if someone says something that makes you think, trust your gut and have that conversation with them.”
WHAT ATTENDEES WILL EXPERIENCE AT CONEXPO-CON/AGG 2026
AFSP will be at CONEXPO-CON/AGG 2026 leading the session AFSP Talk Saves Lives: Construction which will provide an overview of suicide in the construction industry, risk factors and warning signs of suicide, and strategies to prevent it. They will also have a booth (Grand Lobby — GL10604) where attendees can learn more and speak with professionals.
“There's something about that in-person dynamic that makes it important,” Price shared. “Being there at CONEXPO-CON/AGG while we're presenting can give people a feel for the types of questions and conversations that might come up at a jobsite.”
Attendees can expect a mix of storytelling, practical takeaways, and resources they can bring back to their companies. “We’ll share real examples of how to start conversations, how to support someone in crisis and how to make sure every worker knows there’s help available,” Price said.
And it won’t stop there. AFSP is planning follow-up training opportunities and virtual resources to keep the momentum going long after the show ends. “We want this to be the beginning of an ongoing conversation in construction.”
LOOKING AHEAD
By putting suicide prevention front and center, AFSP and CONEXPO-CON/AGG are signaling that mental health is no longer a side issue: it’s central to the industry’s future.
“The response has been just overwhelming in their willingness and strong desire to help in this initiative,” Price shared.
Price is clear-eyed about the challenge ahead, but he’s also hopeful.
“Ideally, in the near future, it will be standard operating procedure,” he said. “It'll be a normal part of working in construction, where mental health and suicide prevention is on par with physical safety in terms of the comfort in talking about it and the awareness of resources.”
The Hard Hat Courage initiative has a goal of directly reaching 500,000 construction industry professionals with suicide prevention education over the next 3 years.
The goal isn’t to turn construction workers into counselors; it’s to give them confidence in starting conversations that can save lives.
“We try and help people see that there are some important steps that we can all take,” Price said. “The industry has largely been open to these conversations. There's been a real willingness to understand the importance of it."
Price encourages industry leaders to attend COENXPO-CON/AGG and see firsthand how they can play a role in prioritizing mental health. “Come talk with us in person about what it might mean to bring these conversations to your workplaces.”
Join the Conversation at CONEXPO-CON/AGG 2026!
On Thursday, March 5 from 1:00–2:00 pm, ASFP will lead the session AFSP Talk Saves Lives: Construction. And on Friday, March 6, from 11:00–11:45 am, ASFP will present on the Ground Breakers Stage. Register for the 2026 show here.
Photo credit: SHUTTERSTOCK/DIEGO CERVO
