New Mexico’s construction industry is prioritizing worker mental health and suicide prevention as core jobsite safety issues. Associated General Contractors New Mexico has created and organized the state’s only construction-focused Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Summit, following the success of an initial summit. The second annual summit took place on September 11 and included nationally renowned keynote speakers, regional training providers, and mental health specialists.
Participants received training and resources to help supervisors, employers, and employees identify distress symptoms, assist colleagues with difficulties, and create environments where asking for assistance is acceptable. Following last year’s summit, AGC New Mexico provided QPR (Question, Persuade, Refer) suicide prevention training to more than 30 industry personnel. The organization announced a new training partnership with Santa Fe Community College for additional suicide prevention training.
From national general contractors to small local firms, New Mexico’s construction employers are committed to protecting total worker well-being. “Mental health is jobsite safety,” the author states, emphasizing that worker well-being means more than physical safety. The industry’s message is that together they can “build not just buildings—but a stronger, healthier industry for all.”
This article is an AI-assisted summary. All facts and figures are drawn from the original report: https://www.abqjournal.com/opinion/opinion-new-mexicos-construction-industry-leads-on-mental-health-and-suicide-prevention/557745