The construction industry has the second highest rate of suicide. Yet, the stigma associated with being vulnerable about personal struggles or asking for support remains a major roadblock to reducing suicides. Addressing stigma head-on can encourage workers to get help and reduce suicides.

In this mini-boom toolbox talk, we discuss ways to destigmatize mental health challenges and promote supportive and help-seeking behaviors.


If you want to talk with somebody about personal and professional challenges, the Construction Careline is a confidential, non-judgmental, and safe space to get support for tough challenges.

Oregon Residents call: 503-433-7878
If you are outside the state of Oregon, you can call 1-833-444-6020
Available 24/7/365

To learn more about Construction Careline, please visit:
The Construction Careline

To learn more about CSPP, please visit: The Construction Suicide Prevention Partnership.


If you are in crisis and need urgent support, you can call or text 988, the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, to speak with a trained crisis intervention specialist.

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It is 2025, and BGTS is back with a new episode featuring Emily Haro, CSPP's Outreach and Engagement Coordinator. We discuss her background and 2024 highlights and share news about new CSPP resources and upcoming podcasts for 2025!!

If you are in need of support or feeling distressed, you can call or text 988, the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, to speak with a trained crisis intervention specialist.

You can also reach out to the Alcohol & Drug Helpline at 800-923-4357.

To learn more about the CSPP, visit: Construction Suicide Prevention Partnership – reducing suicide and promoting mental well-being in the construction industry (suicide-stops-here.org)

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We are thrilled to share our dynamic conversation with Paul Diaz. Paul is a Business Representative with Iron Workers Local 29. With nearly twenty years of experience in ironwork, Paul brings a fascinating, heartfelt, and engaging perspective to mental wellness and suicide prevention.

In this episode, Paul lays out how Iron Workers Local 29 is promoting suicide prevention, creating a more positive job culture, and forging pathways to help and support.

We appreciate Paul sharing his on-the-ground, up-in-the-air, and gritty perspective on how ironworkers are addressing substance abuse and suicide.

If you need support or feel distressed, you can call or text 988, the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, to speak with a trained crisis intervention specialist.

You can also reach out to the Alcohol & Drug Helpline at 800-923-4357.

To learn more about the CSPP and Boom Goes The Stigma, visit: suicide-stops-here.org

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We are thrilled to share our conversation with George Carrillo. George was the former Executive Director of LatinoBuilt. He is now the Chief Executive Officer of the National Hispanic Construction Alliance. He is a staunch advocate for diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) with deep expertise in labor relations and union contracts. He works to challenge inequitable policies and actively dismantle institutional norms through strong alliances with community-based organizations and state legislature to advocate for social justice and equitable representation.

We had a broad and reality-based conversation. George brought the "boom" with an empathetic, insightful, and comprehensive assessment of the challenges facing Hispanic professionals in the construction industry.

We appreciate George laying out the fundamental challenges facing Hispanic construction professionals and sharing solution-based strategies to uplift and improve their work experience and their lives.

If you need support or feel distressed, there is always hope and help. You can call or text 988, the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, to speak with a trained crisis intervention specialist.

You can also reach out to the Alcohol & Drug Helpline at 800-923-4357.

To learn more about the CSPP and Boom Goes The Stigma, visit: suicide-stops-here.org

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We are excited to share our conversation with Rebecca Garza. Rebecca is a Health Promotion Strategist at the Oregon Health Authority. She supports strategic communications and mobilization initiatives and is the lead for the Rethink the Drink(RTD) brand. Rebecca earned a Master of Science in Medical Anthropology and Cross-Cultural Practice at Boston University School of Medicine.

Rebecca shared Oregon's innovative approach to addressing excessive alcohol use in Oregon. We enjoyed learning about the thinking, research, and approach behind RTD's mission to help communities across Oregon Rethink the Drink.

We dive into how RTD is helping CSPP raise awareness and create dialogue in the construction community. They have helped us craft a fun and informative approach to a serious and complicated issue.

Please check out their resources at https://www.rethinkthedrink.com, and you can find construction-specific Rethink the Drink materials here.

Rethink the Drink is creating a thoughtful and engaging dialogue around alcohol and building a new framework for thinking about alcohol.

We appreciate Rebecca taking the time to talk with us!

If you need support or feel distressed, you can call or text 988, the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, to speak with a trained crisis intervention specialist.

You can also reach out to the Alcohol & Drug Helpline at 800-923-4357.

To learn more about the CSPP and Boom Goes The Stigma, visit: suicide-stops-here.org

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We are excited to share our conversation with Adam Garske. Adam Garske is a Project Engineer for Hoffman Construction and the Chairman of the Resource Technology subcommittee within their wellness task force. He provides insightful and personal background information about the needs and rationale behind the GUTS (Getting Us There Safe) room concept. The GUTS room is a versatile space for craftworkers to connect, access services, and have fun.

If you're interested in learning more about GUTS, please visit https://www.hoffmancorp.com/guts/. You can also watch a news story about this program here.

We appreciate Adam sharing the history, importance, and impact of the GUTS program.

If you need support or feel distressed, there is always hope and help. You can call or text 988, the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, to speak with a trained crisis intervention specialist.

You can also reach out to the Alcohol & Drug Helpline at 800-923-4357.

To learn more about the CSPP and Boom Goes The Stigma, visit: suicide-stops-here.org

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We are excited to share our conversation with Dr. Leslie Hammer. Dr. Hammer specializes in the effects of workplace conditions, including supportive supervision at work and occupational stress, on workplace mental health and well-being. She is the Associate Director of Applied Research and Professor with the Oregon Institute of Occupational Health Sciences at Oregon Health & Science University and the Co-Director of the Oregon Healthy Workforce Center, one of 10 centers of excellence in Total Worker Health® funded by the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health.

We appreciate Dr. Hammer taking the time to share the research insights behind her tools for creating a healthy, connected, and safe workplace culture.

If you need support or feel distressed, there is always hope and help. You can call or text 988, the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, to speak with a trained crisis intervention specialist.

You can also reach out to the Alcohol & Drug Helpline at 800-923-4357.

To learn more about the CSPP and Boom Goes The Stigma, visit: suicide-stops-here.org

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We are excited to share our conversation with Christi Pilutik. Christi is the founder and president of ALTA Consulting. Coming from a long line of construction professionals, she has an intimate knowledge of the unique challenges facing the construction community, including their families, and what it needs to thrive.

We talked to Christi about simple and realistic steps companies can take to improve their employees' workplaces. She also shares how she works with companies where they are to make employee wellness programs tailored to different cultures.

To learn more about ALTA Consulting: https://www.altaconsultllc.com/

If you need support or feel distressed, there is always hope and help. You can call or text 988, the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, to speak with a trained crisis intervention specialist.

You can also reach out to the Alcohol & Drug Helpline at 800-923-4357.

To learn more about the CSPP and Boom Goes The Stigma, visit: suicide-stops-here.org

Support the show