Vince Hafeli, president, Ajax Paving of Florida, is leading a national campaign to promote awareness of suicide and mental health wellness in the construction industry. He presented his “Suicide in Construction Awareness Proclamation” Feb. 7, 2023, at the Florida Transportation Builders’ Association Construction Conference, and collected signatures, including ARTBA’s President & CEO Dave Bauer.

Hafeli will be speaking at industry events during the next two years to spotlight the issue and collect signatures from those who agree about the need for open conversation relating to suicide and mental health awareness in our industry. The full text of the proclamation is below.

ARTBA is proud to support Hafeli’s mission and we ask you to add your name to the proclamation. Your signature and email address will not be used for any other purpose, and no one from ARTBA will contact you about the proclamation.

Thank you for your leadership.

THIS PROCLAMATION relative to suicide in the construction industry is made and entered into by and among the entities and natural persons set forth herein below.

W I T N E S S E T H:

WHEREAS, the future of the United States construction industry depends on nurturing the development of a safe and healthy environment for over 7,000,000 workers employed directly or indirectly by the industry; and

WHEREAS, death by suicide in the construction industry occurs at a rate approximately 4.3 times higher than the overall United States average and is ranked as the nation’s second-highest industry for such deaths; and

WHEREAS, every construction worker has an expectation and right to work in a safe and healthy environment where open, honest and thoughtful conversations around the topic of suicide and mental health are encouraged; and

WHEREAS, research reveals that organizations which have support systems and processes to assist employees in seeking and engaging help in times of distress are more durable and resilient and better equipped to provide safe environments and nurturing experiences for their employees; and

WHEREAS, industry leaders, including construction business owners, material providers, trade associations, heavy equipment manufacturers, manufacturers of production facilities, engineering communities, government officials, and others must act and encourage open conversations about mental health and suicide awareness within the construction industry; and

WHEREAS, during the month of February 2023, local, regional, state, and national leaders in the construction industry initiated a national campaign promoting awareness of suicide and mental health awareness in their communities;

NOW, THEREFORE, the undersigned, do hereby Proclaim that henceforth they will initiate and/or encourage open conversations relating to Suicide and Mental Health Awareness in the Construction Industry and engage in responsible activities whose purpose is to strengthen the construction industry to provide an optimal environment to encourage construction workers to discuss mental health struggles without fear of repercussion or reprisal.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned have hereunto set their hands as of the day and year indicated in the digital record.

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