In an effort to address the growing mental health challenges faced by construction workers, the ABC Cares Foundation, the charitable arm of Associated Builders and Contractors’ (ABC) Florida East Coast chapter, has introduced a mobile app that provides confidential access to mental health services. The initiative, launched in partnership with West Palm Beach-based Harm Reduction Center, aims to offer support to workers in need through a secure, HIPAA-compliant platform.

Connecting Workers with Immediate Mental Health Support

The Miami-based ABC Cares Foundation has designed the app to ensure prompt and private access to licensed mental health professionals. Participating construction companies will display QR codes at jobsites, allowing workers to scan and instantly connect with healthcare providers for support. The goal is to break down barriers to mental health care, providing a straightforward way for workers to seek help without stigma.

Workers who scan the QR code can schedule in-person appointments within 48 hours, with services including therapy, case management, psychiatric care, and addiction counseling. While the app is tailored for individuals with insurance, ABC Cares has also secured reduced rates for uninsured workers, ensuring affordability and access for all participants.

“There is a nominal fee for companies enrolling in the program,” said Sonny Maken, COO of ABC Florida East Coast. “The app is designed for individual workers with insurance, but ABC Cares has secured low rates for non-insured workers to ensure affordability of care.”

Addressing a Critical Industry-Wide Issue

The construction industry faces a serious mental health crisis, with suicide rates significantly higher than in other professions. In 2022, the suicide rate among construction workers was 2.4 times higher than the overall workforce, with 46.1 suicides per 100,000 full-time employees, compared to the general industry rate of 19.5. That same year, suicides in construction outnumbered workplace fatalities by a ratio of five to one.

“These statistics are unacceptable,” said Peter Dyga, CEO of ABC Cares Foundation, in a press release. “This partnership is about action—making mental health care more accessible, which demonstrates our commitment to the safety and well-being of the individuals who build our communities.”

The pressures of the construction industry contribute to the heightened suicide risk. Factors such as high-pressure work environments, strict deadlines, a predominantly male workforce fostering a "tough-guy" mentality, substance abuse, job insecurity, and chronic pain from workplace injuries all play a role in exacerbating mental health issues.

Industry-Wide Efforts to Combat Mental Health Challenges

Recognizing the severity of the issue, industry leaders have taken significant steps toward promoting mental health awareness and suicide prevention. In October, executives from major construction firms—including Bechtel, Fluor, Turner, Kiewit, Clark, DPR, Skanska, and Stanley Black & Decker—formed an advisory council dedicated to reducing the suicide rate among construction workers. This initiative followed Bechtel’s historic $7 million donation to the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention in March, the largest-ever contribution to the organization at the time.

With the launch of the ABC Cares Foundation’s new mental health app, construction workers now have an additional resource to access professional help, reinforcing the industry's commitment to prioritizing mental well-being and fostering a safer, more supportive work environment.