Five years ago, the conversation around mental health started to change, with the idea that it belongs in the same conversation as safety.
Since then, the focused effort to connect employees with support has grown into a part of daily operations, from jobsite conversations to leadership priorities. It also reinforces that mental health is part of doing the job well and doing it safely.
Building a culture of care
From the beginning, the goal was clear: Make support easier to access, increase awareness and give employees and their families real tools they can use.
Over five years, that commitment has expanded across the company in the following ways:
- An evolving Under the Hat website: Now a living resource with monthly content updates aligned to timely topics and employee needs.
- Expanded access to care: Partnerships with Lyra Health, TELUS Health and Orienta provide free and confidential support across the U.S., Canada and Mexico.
- Quarterly companywide workshops: Sessions on suicide prevention, substance use, burnout, mental fitness and more regularly draw hundreds of employees, with some exceeding 2,000 attendees.
- Employee well-being training: A self-paced course launched in 2025 to all staff employees looking to better understand the wide range of resources that support mental, physical, emotional and financial health.
- A monthly newsletter: The monthly Under the Hat newsletter extends beyond the workplace, with more than 192,000 emails sent in 2025 and over 99,000 opens, helping connect employees and their families to timely resources.
- Annual mailers to every household: Printed Under the Hat resources are sent directly to employees’ homes, ensuring every family has access to support.
- Field-driven conversations: Craft Voice in Safety (CVIS) teams lead toolbox talks and peer discussions. The Operations Start Card has evolved to include a prompt asking supervisors to consider whether crew members are mentally ready to work.
Leadership and industry impact
The influence of Under the Hat now extends beyond the company’s jobsites and offices.
Company leaders continue to advocate for mental health across the construction industry, sharing best practices and helping drive broader change. President and CEO Rick Lanoha serves on an advisory council alongside other construction CEOs focused on reducing suicide in the industry.
Since Under the Hat launched, the company has also shared its model with organizations including Union Pacific, the Nebraska National Guard and the Colorado Avalanche and presented its approach at the Transportation Research Board Annual Meeting in Washington, D.C.
What’s next
As Under the Hat enters its next phase, the focus is on expanding access, strengthening early support and keeping resources easy to use.
New tools and training will continue to support employees and leaders, making it easier to recognize when help is needed and connect to the right resources.
Behind the scenes, ongoing insights will help guide improvements and ensure support continues to evolve with employee needs.