In this episode, host Kerry Smith Buck sits down with Benjamin Jump, Safety Technician at Pike Construction, to unpack the urgent conversation around mental health in the construction industry. As part of a special series focused on wellbeing on job sites, Benjamin shares frontline insights on breaking the stigma, the impact of rigid project schedules, and the compounded stress faced by traveling crews working long hours away from home. Drawing from personal tragedy, he discusses why the industry’s suicide rates demand proactive - not reactive - solutions, and highlights initiatives like New York State’s “Building Hope Through Action” grant, QPR (Question, Persuade, Refer) training, monthly mental health toolbox talks, and the importance of using resources such as 988 and ManTherapy.org. This powerful conversation challenges construction leaders and workers alike to speak up, check in on one another, and remember: hundreds of people would rather take your call than attend your funeral.

In this episode of BUILD America, we learn from Tractics CEO Tyler VanWinkle about how his company created a project management workflow inspired by those who are the closest to reliable, actionable data: those who are at the jobsite.

In this episode, Kerry Smith Buck speaks with Frank King, former Tonight Show comedy writer turned suicide prevention speaker, about how to start conversations that can save lives in the construction industry. Drawing from his own lifelong battle with depression and near-suicide, Frank explains why construction has the highest suicide rate in the U.S., how to recognize warning signs on the jobsite, what not to say when someone is struggling, and why asking directly about suicide can be a critical intervention. With humor, honesty, and real jobsite stories, this episode highlights why mental health is a safety issue - and how anyone, at any level, can make a difference by starting the conversation.