Empowering Change: How a Colorado Mom Supports Construction Workers Facing Mental Health and Addiction Challenges

Workers in construction face tough challenges that can affect their mental health. Issues like substance abuse and even suicide are becoming more common in this field.

Heather Gutierrez is a mother who knows this pain all too well. Her son, Ty, died from a fentanyl overdose in March 2022, after struggling with mental health issues for years. “I felt helpless,” Gutierrez said. “We need better support, not just in construction, but everywhere.”

Gutierrez is now co-chair of the Mental Health Working Group at the Associated General Contractors. This group began as a task force in 2021 after troubling statistics showed that construction has the highest rates of suicide and overdose among private industries. Nick Williams, her co-chair, pointed out that while drug overdoses in the U.S. have decreased by about 35%, the construction sector hasn’t seen the same improvement. “We still have a high number of overdose deaths,” he said.

Williams explained that the culture in construction often includes alcohol use and isolation, which can worsen mental health. “Workers face physical strain and uncertainty about pay,” he noted. “It’s tough out there.”

The group’s mission is to spark conversations about mental health and substance abuse on job sites. They encourage employers to create safe spaces for these discussions. “Five years ago, there was a huge stigma. Now, we’re slowly breaking it down,” Williams said. Gutierrez added, “Leaders who have struggled themselves can inspire others to open up.”

The working group also trains workers to recognize warning signs and provides contact information for mental health resources. They aim to ensure everyone knows where to turn for help. A practical step they introduced was training workers on how to use naloxone, a medication that can reverse opioid overdoses. This training took place in Colorado, with another session scheduled for August.

“They’re not just words; we need to change the culture in construction,” Williams emphasized. The hope is that by prioritizing mental health, they can reduce both suicide rates and overdose incidents in the field.

Gutierrez fights not only for change but in honor of her son. “Ty’s death won’t be forgotten. We need to spread awareness,” she affirmed.

Addressing mental health in construction is not just beneficial; it’s essential to making the workplace safer for everyone involved.



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