Save Lives: The Peer-Led Solution to Construction's Silent Crisis

In the construction and energy trades, toughness is worn like armor, but silence around mental health is costing lives.In this episode, Dr. Kevin Rindal sits down with Katie Deal, MPH, a public health professional and leader with MATES in Construction North America, to discuss mental health and suicide prevention in the trades. Construction workers, especially men, die by suicide at nearly twice the national average, with suicide claiming five times more lives than workplace fatalities. Katie explains why traditional, top-down programs often fail and how a peer-led, industry-owned approach is changing jobsite culture. Drawing from the globally proven MATES in Construction model, this conversation explores how peer support, mental health literacy, and early intervention can build safer, stronger jobsites and save lives.CONNECTConnect with Dr. Kevin RindalWorkReady HubLinkedInInstagram⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠Subscribe to Field Notes⁠⁠⁠⁠Connect with Katie DealLinkedInMATES North America Pilot WebsiteMATES In Construction LinkedInMATES in Construction Instagram RESOURCESWorkReady Podcast YouTubeVimocity Workforce Readiness PlatformWorkReady Community (FREE)CIASP Toolbox TalksCIASP Needs Analysis and Implementation Tool988 Lifeline - Help Someone ElseSuicide Prevention Resource CenterEffectiveness of the Australian MATES in Construction Suicide Prevention Program: a systematic review🎉 SPONSORSVimocity — The Workforce Readiness PlatformVimocity Community (FREE for field pros)