2025 marks a significant milestone for Turner, celebrating a century of healthcare construction. Over the past 100 years, Turner has built state-of-the-art medical facilities that serve the evolving needs of patients, healthcare professionals, and communities. This centennial is not just about buildings but the impact our people have on the lives of others. As we reflect on this journey, we are proud to highlight projects that embody our commitment to innovation, service, and well-being.

One such project is the Yale New Haven Hospital Bed Tower, a transformative healthcare facility that began rising in the Fall of 2023. As steel structures reached new heights and concrete slabs followed closely behind, so did a groundbreaking initiative—one that underscores the importance of mental health in construction. Turner and Yale New Haven Health joined forces, not just to construct a world-class medical center, but also to support the mental well-being of the workforce that brings it to life.

A Shared Mission: Addressing Mental Health in Construction

The construction industry faces a crisis that often goes unnoticed. According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), the suicide rate among construction workers is the highest of any industry. With hundreds of skilled tradespeople and project personnel on-site daily, Turner recognized an opportunity to challenge the stigma surrounding mental health and create a culture of support and awareness.

Turner’s project leadership reached out to Yale New Haven Health—a leader in world-class healthcare—with a vision of integrating mental health resources into the construction process. The response was overwhelmingly positive, leading to a unique partnership dedicated to providing education, support, and accessible resources for all workers on-site.

Taking Action: Mental Health Initiatives On-Site

With Yale New Haven Health’s extensive expertise, the initiative began with a powerful kickoff event: a site-wide stand-down on World Mental Health Day. Facilitated by Bud Wassell, Yale New Haven Health’s Coordinator for Employee and Family Resources, the session provided essential insights into Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs), how they support union tradespeople, the confidentiality of the process, and what to expect when seeking help.

From there, the initiative gained momentum. Over the following year and a half, additional events were held covering critical topics such as:

• Suicide Awareness and Prevention: Providing early warning signs, intervention strategies, and support networks.
• Stress Reduction Techniques: Offering practical strategies to manage work-related stress and enhance overall well-being.
• Opioid Awareness and Naloxone Training: Educating workers on the dangers of opioid misuse and providing life-saving overdose reversal training.

Each session fostered open discussions, encouraged workers to seek help when needed, and reinforced the message that mental health is just as important as physical safety on the job site.

Creating a Legacy of Care

As Turner constructs a best-in-class healthcare facility that will serve patients for generations to come, Yale New Haven Health is equally committed to supporting Turner’s workforce with leading mental health resources. This collaboration sets a new standard for prioritizing mental well-being in the construction industry.

By building not just a hospital but also a culture of care, Turner and Yale New Haven Health are paving the way for a future where mental health is an integral part of workplace safety. This initiative is more than a moment—it’s a movement toward a healthier, more supportive construction industry, ensuring that those who build our communities receive the same level of care they help provide to others.

Originally reported by Turner Construction.