Construction has some of the highest rates of suicide and substance use in the country. Yet many workers still feel pressure to stay silent.
In this episode, Heather Strong Gutierrez, Director of Safety at JHL Constructors, talks about turning pain into purpose after losing her son to a fentanyl overdose. She explains why safety must include mental and emotional health, not just physical hazards.
The group explores:
- Why stigma remains a major barrier
- How strong relationships on job sites create trust
- Ways supervisors can step in early
- How easy access to resources increases the chance someone reaches out
- Why caring for people also strengthens performance and retention
This is a real conversation about what it takes to build a culture where people are supported before a crisis happens.
If you lead people in construction, this episode is required listening.
Feb 11 202633 min