September is Suicide Prevention Month, and within it the construction industry observes Construction Suicide Prevention Week. This year’s theme is Build Community, a reminder that while construction workers spend their days building homes, schools, roads, and bridges for others, they also have the power to create connection and support within their own circles.

The need for this focus is clear. Construction continues to face one of the highest suicide rates of any industry in the United States. The pressures of long hours, demanding schedules, seasonal uncertainty, and the weight of staying strong for others can make it difficult for workers to share what they are going through. Behind every hard hat is a person who may be carrying struggles we cannot see.

Building community is part of building safety
For decades, our industry has invested heavily in safety on the jobsite. Hard hats, harnesses, and training are visible reminders of our commitment to keeping people safe. Mental health deserves that same attention. True safety is more than preventing physical injury. It also means protecting the well-being of every person who steps onto a project site or into an office. Building community ensures no one has to face challenges on their own.

The role of our people and our partners
At FS 360, community is created every day by the people who make our work possible. Superintendents, project managers, and engineers are not only responsible for schedules, budgets, and coordination, they are also leaders who set the tone for the jobsite. They are often the first to notice when someone seems quieter than usual or when stress is starting to weigh on a team.

Our management and leadership teams work to provide resources and encourage openness. Our subcontractors and trade partners contribute by watching out for their crews and reminding one another that asking for help is a sign of strength. Even our clients play a role by supporting an approach to construction that values not just the end result but the people who build it. Every group connected to a project has an opportunity to strengthen the culture of care.

What it looks like to build community

• Starting genuine conversations that go beyond the task at hand.
• Asking “How are you doing?” and listening closely to the answer.
• Offering encouragement and reminding people they are not alone.
• Sharing resources such as employee programs or the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline.
• Showing up with empathy and setting the example of how we want others to show up for us.

Together we can change the story
Suicide prevention is not limited to one week or one month. It is an ongoing responsibility that requires awareness and compassion every day. Each check-in matters. Each small act of kindness has the potential to make a lasting difference.

This September, and throughout the year, we encourage everyone in our network, our team members, our partners, and our clients, to take part in the theme of Build Community. By being intentional in how we connect and support one another, we can create an industry culture that values mental health just as much as it values productivity and progress.

If you or someone you know is struggling, call or text 988 to connect with the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. Help is available, and no one should feel they have to face challenges alone.

Together, let’s continue to build. Not only the projects that shape our communities, but also the compassion, trust, and support that hold our industry together.

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