Mental health, suicide, and substance misuse remain disproportionately high among construction and maintenance workers. Recent national findings show that transportation agencies lack consistent, actionable guidance. TRB hosted a webinar on Tuesday, June 2, 2026 from 12:00 PM to 1:30 PM Eastern that translated NCHRP Synthesis 658: Mental Health, Suicide Prevention, and Addiction Mitigation in Construction and Maintenance into practical strategies transportation agencies can use to address mental health challenges, suicide risk, and substance misuse among construction and maintenance workers. Presenters highlighted current state DOT practices, common implementation gaps, and real-world examples that agencies can adapt to strengthen safety programs, workforce policies, and contractor engagement.
This webinar was based on NCHRP Synthesis 658: Mental Health, Suicide Prevention, and Addiction Mitigation in Construction and Maintenance.
This webinar was sponsored by TRB’s National Cooperative Highway Research Program and the Standing Technical Committee on Integrated Management of Construction.
The slides are available. 
 
Webinar agenda and presenters

• Overview of NCHRP Synthesis 658 – Mohammed S. Hashem M. Mehany, Colorado State University
• Case examples – Christofer Harper, Colorado State University
• Statistical evidence – Dan Tran, University of Kansas
• Question and answer session moderated by Arlin Alvarez, Texas Department of Transportation

The first 60 minutes of the webinar were for presentations and the final 30 minutes were reserved for audience questions.
 
Learning Objectives
At the end of this webinar, participants can:

• Identify key mental health, suicide prevention, and addiction mitigation challenges affecting construction and maintenance workforces, and how these challenges intersect with safety and workforce performance
• Apply practical strategies and examples from NCHRP Synthesis 658 to integrate mental health considerations into safety programs, workforce policies, and contractor engagement

 
Professional Development Hours
This webinar was delivered as a scheduled – e-learning live event and is categorized within RCEP as Technical, Health and Safety.
Professional Development Hours (PDHs) earned on completion of this program were reported to the Registered Continuing Education Program (RCEP). Certificates of Completion are issued to all participants via the RCEP.net online system. Complaints about registered providers may be addressed to RCEP, 1015 15th Street, NW, 8th Fl., Washington, DC, 20005.
American Institute of Certified Planners Certification Maintenance Credits
This webinar was approved by the American Planning Association (APA) for 1.5 Certification Maintenance (CM) Credits. CM credits provide continuing education opportunities for AICP Certified Planners to continue their professional skills and knowledge. To receive CM credits, Certified Planners should visit the TRB event webpage on American Planning Association and register their participation. If you have problems reporting your CM credits or have general questions about the CM program, please contact the APA.