Mike Pugh wasn’t sure what kind of response to expect when he began publicly speaking out about his personal journey with sub- stance use and mental health issues. But he knew it was a conver-


sation in which he needed to engage. By sharing his story, he hoped to impact others with similar struggles – and to help de-stigmatize a topic with large scale impact on the construction industry, which has one of the highest rates of worker suicide and substance use issues of any occupational sector. Pugh has worked in the Cal-


ifornia construction industry for over 40 years and currently serves as corporate safety man- ager for Coffey Building Group in El Dorado Hills. His decision to publicly share his story was not made lightly, but “the reception has been tremendous, and it’s really needed,” he said. “It’s a hard topic,” he added.


“It’s my job to put it out there; the ability to give back and to help people is a gift I’ve been given. Tere are probably thousands of people working in construction right now who have had the same experience as me.”


CALIFORNIA CONSTRUCTOR MAY/JUNE 2023


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