Hard Hat Courage Initiative Expands to Reach Millions of Construction Workers
Key Highlights
- Expanded partnership brings standardized mental health training to millions of workers
- Initiative integrates suicide prevention into everyday jobsite safety practices
- Industry alignment signals growing focus on workforce well-being in construction
NEW YORK, NY — The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP), North America’s Building Trades Unions (NABTU) and CPWR—The Center for Construction Research and Training have announced an expanded collaboration to scale the Hard Hat Courage initiative, bringing standardized suicide prevention training and mental health awareness to jobsites across the construction industry.
The effort leverages NABTU’s training network, reaching more than 3 million craft professionals, with a focus on embedding mental health awareness into everyday jobsite operations.
Standardized Training Aims to Reach Every Jobsite
The expanded collaboration is designed to deliver consistent, evidence-based suicide prevention education across the industry. By aligning on core standards and training criteria, the initiative aims to ensure that workers receive the same information, tools and support regardless of employer or location.
“Every worker deserves to go home safe—physically and mentally. Together with CPWR and NABTU, we’re aligning the field around industrywide standards so that no matter where you work, you get the same lifesaving knowledge, tools and pathways to help,” said Trisha Calabrese of AFSP.
Industry Faces Ongoing Mental Health Challenges
While safety performance continues to improve across construction jobsites, the industry still faces one of the highest suicide rates of any sector.
The Hard Hat Courage initiative, originally launched by AFSP in partnership with Bechtel, is focused on making mental health part of daily jobsite conversations—encouraging early intervention and reducing stigma among workers.
“Our members build America. We must also build a culture where it’s standard practice to talk about mental health and take action early,” said Sean McGarvey, President of NABTU. “By recommending baseline standards across our affiliates and beyond, we’re making that expectation clear and consistent.”
Unified Approach Supports Contractors and Workforce
For contractors, standardized training and clear guidelines can help integrate mental health awareness into existing safety programs, making it easier to implement consistent practices across crews and projects.
The collaboration will focus on developing core training standards, exploring peer-based support programs and expanding adoption through additional industry partnerships.
“Common training criteria rooted in research and jobsite experience will help owners, contractors and unions apply a unified approach to suicide prevention training and evaluate what works in practice,” said Chris Chain, Executive Director at CPWR.
Momentum Builds Across the Industry
The expanded partnership builds on growing industry support for Hard Hat Courage. Since its launch, the initiative has gained traction through funding, leadership engagement and formal commitments across the construction sector.
“Hard Hat Courage was always intended to move the entire construction industry forward,” said Brendan Bechtel, Chairman & CEO of Bechtel. “By bringing together organizations like NABTU and CPWR, we’re scaling this effort across the industry so every craft professional has the awareness, tools, and support to look out for themselves and each other.”
With the addition of NABTU and CPWR’s training infrastructure, the initiative is positioned to expand its reach and further integrate mental health awareness into jobsite culture across North America.
Organizations interested in contributing to the working group or piloting implementation can contact: [email protected].