SUPPORTING YOUR SAFETY
Construction Workers Gather for Mental Health Standdown
BY TERESA KENT, AGC OF CALIFORNIA SR. COMMUNICATIONS & MARKETING MANAGER C
onversations around mental health took center stage on May 22 as AGC of California
and Teichert Construction hosted the 2026 Mental Health in Construction Media Day & Standdown during Mental Health Awareness Month. Construction workers, industry
leaders, labor representatives, trans- portation officials, and mental health advocates came together near the Plac- er Parkway project at Highway 65 for honest conversations about the mental and emotional challenges many in the construction industry face every day. “Safety in construction goes be-
yond hard hats, safety glasses, and fall protection. It also includes the mental and emotional well-being of the people behind the work,” said Mary Teichert, president and chief executive officer of Teichert Inc. “The men and women building our roads, bridges, schools, and
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CALIFORNIA CONSTRUCTOR JULY/AUGUST 2026
communities every single day also carry stress, fatigue, injuries, and personal struggles that too often go unseen.” “Construction zones demand con-
stant awareness, communication, and teamwork. When workers are distracted or struggling silently, it can impact not only the individual, but everyone
around them. That’s why creating a cul- ture where people feel supported is so important to overall jobsite safety,” said Jeremy Peterson-Self, deputy division chief of construction at the California Department of Transportation. “Open conversations around mental health can make a real difference.”
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