ATLANTA – In response to a growing mental health crisis among Georgia’s construction workers, the Georgia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities (DBHDD) and its consulting partner Lexicon Strategies have launched the Georgia 988 Construction Advisory Committee. This pioneering coalition brings together leaders from the construction industry, mental health professionals, and state partners to support the promotion of 988—the national Suicide and Crisis Lifeline—and implement tailored solutions that meet the urgent behavioral health needs of this critical workforce.

“We know 988 can save lives,” said Commissioner Kevin Tanner. “But awareness and trust are everything. This campaign ensures we’re reaching the workers where they are—with tools, training, and real conversations.”

The construction sector faces the highest suicide rate of any occupation in the state, according to DPH data, with 743 suicides between 2017 and 2021, representing a rate 165% higher than the average for all Georgia workers. Additionally, construction workers nationwide endure the highest rate of drug overdose deaths, largely due to physical injuries, job-related stress, and barriers to seeking help.

“We are facing a crisis hiding in plain sight,” said Cindy Morley, Director of Public Affairs at the Home Builders Association of Georgia and member of the Georgia 988 Construction Advisory Committee. “Behind the hard hats and jobsite grit are workers grappling with real pain. Our mission is to build more than just roads, homes, and buildings—we’re building a culture of support.”

The newly formed Advisory Committee consists of representatives from Georgia’s leading construction trade associations—including the Home Builders Association of Georgia, Associated Builders and Contractors of Georgia, Associated General Contractors of Georgia (AGC Georgia), and the Greater Atlanta Home Builders Association. They will guide DBHDD’s work to embed lifesaving mental health resources directly into job sites and company culture. Anchored by the 988 Lifeline, the campaign recognizes that raising awareness within the industry, especially among its leadership, is essential to creating sustainable change.

The Committee’s Strategy Includes:

  • Raising awareness among industry leaders and supervisors about the risks associated with work in construction and the resources available to companies and employees for support in treating mental health conditions.
  • Partnering with relevant voices in the industry to deliver tailored, culturally relevant training for construction companies, from executives to workers on-site.
  • Launching an integrated stigma reduction education campaign featuring real stories of industry professionals and workers who have experienced mental health challenges.
  • Promoting a statewide 988 resource hub at 988ga.org/construction, offering accessible guidance, training, and support materials.
  • Equipping companies with toolkits, including hard hat stickers, porta potty decals, and bilingual materials to reinforce help-seeking on job sites.
  • Expanding awareness through a social media and digital video campaign, targeted at both workers and leadership, with content in English and Spanish.

Upcoming Activities

The Committee will convene quarterly to monitor progress, shape messaging, and advise on outreach. A key milestone is DBHDD’s participation for the first time in the upcoming Home Builders Association of Georgia Annual Conference, where the campaign will showcase its materials, share progress, and engage with hundreds of industry leaders to spread awareness and reduce stigma.

The Georgia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities provides treatment and support services to people with mental illnesses and addictive diseases and assists individuals with developmental disabilities to live meaningful lives in their communities.

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Contact

Director, Office of Communications Camille Taylor

[email protected]