The Minds of Our Industry: A Discussion on Mental Health/ Suicide in the Construction Industry

Mental Health and Suicide in the Construction industry has been a long-avoided topic due to the historically macho mindset of many members of the construction industry.  The construction industry is severely impacted by suicide.  It is estimated that approximately 5,500 members of the construction industry die by suicide each year, which is over 5 times of workers that die by job related injuries and illnesses.  The session will focus on ways to help those that are struggling with their mental health by exploring the many myths, facts, options, and resources, which includes the following discussion points:

• Awareness
• Mental Health vs. Mental Illness
• Suicide Statistics
• What makes the construction industry more susceptible to mental health challenges
• Who/ who else is affected?
• 3 Ways to Support
• LEARN Method
• Action Steps/ Next Steps

Through interactions with business partners at every level of the chain of command, attendees will be able to use strategies discussed to be more effective at:

• Identifying a colleague in need of assistance
• Employing various Communication Channels to raise awareness
• Utilizing optimal communication techniques to help break the stigma
• Taking action to support colleagues, industry partners, family, friends, etc.

When: Tuesday, September 10th | 8:00 - 10:00 AM

Where: Citrin Cooperman | 50 Rockefeller Plaza | New York, NY 10020

Robert Labbe Jr., CSP, ARM

Vice President | Risk Engineering Services

Robert Labbe is a Vice President and Risk Engineering Specialist at American Global. Rob has more than 25 years’ experience managing construction projects and risk management, focusing on safety, quality and productivity. Through his guidance and leadership, Rob helps contractors develop best practices for successful health and safety programs.

Rob’s first-hand construction industry experience enables him to recognize potential opportunities for improvements, making him an effective and successful leader. Rob’s ability to connect with people at every level of an organization – from those in the field to those in the executive suite, is one reason he is a sought-after speaker, both on-site and at industry events. Due to his personal experience with family and friends, Rob has also become a powerful and passionate advocate for raising awareness on mental health and suicide.

Prior to joining American Global, Rob was a Senior Risk Engineering Consultant for Zurich North America’s Construction Division. Previously, Rob worked for several national and global construction companies in operational roles (Field Engineer, Project Engineer, Superintendent, Project Manager, etc.) with increasing responsibilities.

Rob is a graduate of Wentworth Institute of Technology with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Construction Management.

Rob is a member of the Board of Governors of the Safety Executives of New York. Rob is also the President of the Hudson Valley Chapter of the American Society of Safety Professionals.