Breaking the Silence on Mental Health in Construction with Josh Vitale

The Canary Report: Safety & Risk Management

"What we know about suicidality is that it's almost always a combination of a lack of hope and a lack of connection." - Josh Vitale

We are celebrating Construction Suicide Prevention Week, and this episode of The Canary Report: Safety & Risk Management podcast is dedicated to everyone undergoing mental trauma with the plea to please reach out for help, you’re not alone. I am your host, Michael Zalle, and today it’s my pleasure to welcome Josh Vitale to the show. Josh is the co-founder and CEO of Project BUILT, a national movement to confront addiction, suicide, burnout, and disconnection in construction by strengthening workers, families, and job sites.

Join us for a frank and open conversation on mental health in construction. Together, we unpack how burnout, addiction, and suicide risk impact safety on job sites, and what leaders can do about it. From building peer-support systems to managing legal risk, Josh shares actionable strategies to break the stigma and transform workplace culture.

Here are some of the topics that we explore:

• How to recognize and respond to mental health crises in construction environments
• Why implementing peer support systems across all organizational levels is crucial
• The connection between workplace wellness and safety performance
• How to leverage Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs) effectively
• Why leading with vulnerability as a safety professional can create psychological safety
• The practical framework for implementing mental health first response training
• How to build a comprehensive wellness program that addresses both immediate crisis intervention and long-term cultural change
• The critical role of family support in addressing construction worker mental health

Josh Vitale is the co-founder and CEO of Project Built, a nonprofit tackling mental health, addiction, and suicide prevention in construction. A former high-voltage lineman turned advocate, Josh pairs real-world industry experience with a mission to break the silence around mental health. As chair of Construction Suicide Prevention Week, he’s led initiatives reaching 500,000+ participants nationwide. His practical, peer-driven approach makes him a pioneering voice in construction workforce wellness and suicide prevention.

Episode Resources:

• Josh Vitale on LinkedIn
• Project BUILT Website
• Josh Vitale on Linktree
• Project BUILT on Linktree
• Donate to Project BUILT for Construction Family Support Here
• Michael Zalle on LinkedIn
• Yellow Bird Website
• The Canary Report: Safety & Risk Management on Apple Podcasts
• The Canary Report: Safety & Risk Management on Spotify