Combatting suicide in construction: A Q&A with Skanska USA’s President & CEO

We sat down with Skanska USA’s President & CEO Richard Kennedy to discuss the new CEO Advisory Council, the importance of collaboration to address suicide in the construction industry, and how the Council can drive meaningful change to improve construction workers’ mental health.

What motivated you to join the ASFP Council and what about its purpose resonated most with you?

Well-being is core to Skanska’s Care for Life value. We have been working for several years to address mental health and suicide in our industry, so when this opportunity arose to join the CEO Advisory Council and team up with other construction industry participants, it was a next logical step.

How do we help our construction workforce be safe and healthy? How can we provide them with an environment that supports their mental health and overall well-being? How can we have a positive effect on an industry-wide basis? These are the issues we’re discussing in the CEO Advisory Council.

Why is collaboration important in the construction industry to tackle suicide?

Working with AFSP and other industry peers, we have the opportunity to have a consistent and scalable approach across the construction industry—one that raises mental health awareness, destigmatizes mental health issues and gets individuals the professional support they need when they need it, regardless of the project they’re on or the company they work for.

The key is creating consistency in our approach across the industry. That's where I see the Advisory Council coming in and having a tangible impact.

You sat in on Skanska’s Mental Health First Aid training - what insights stuck with you? How does this training align with your AFSP Council work?

Our Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) program, launched in the U.S. in 2022, empowers our trainees to listen nonjudgmentally and provide necessary referrals to those needing mental health support. We all left the training better informed, with a deeper awareness and understanding around mental health challenges. This can be a highly sensitive topic, so we need to foster an environment where people feel comfortable seeking support without hesitation or fear of judgment. And when a person reaches out for mental health support, it needs to be available. This is where AFSP comes in.  

How do physical safety and mental health go hand-in-hand?

They are both connected to a person’s overall well-being. To be at their best, people need to feel confident and comfortable in their environment. To execute work safely, people need a solid work plan, the right tools and the necessary competencies; they need to know their employer has their back and can speak up if they have a concern.  

It’s the same with mental health. If a person is challenged with a mental health issue, they need to feel comfortable that they can share their situation openly and get the help they need, without fear of judgment or stigma. It starts with a culture where speaking up is encouraged, trust is built, and the right systems and support are in place.