Get Construction Talking secures a $2M commitment to support mental health in construction

Get Construction Talking has secured a $2M commitment to support mental health across the construction sector.

The global initiative founded by Fred Mills, The B1M and Procore to raise awareness and drive action around construction’s mental health crisis hit its incredible $1M fundraising target at Procore’s Groundbreak event in Orlando, Florida.

The funds raised go to support construction’s leading mental health charities around the world, including in the US, UK and Australia.

In an extraordinary move following the achievement of the $1M milestone, an anonymous donor at Groundbreak then pledged to match the amount with a further $1M, to be contributed in instalments over the next decade.

Commenting on the news, Mills said: “A $2M investment into improving mental health in construction is seismic, and will help turn the tide on this issue, ultimately saving lives. I want to say a huge thank you to everyone that has made a donation in support of this cause, and to Procore for walking and the walk and helping us make such an impact with the Get Construction Talking campaign.”

Above: The B1M's Fred Mills and Procore's Sasha Reed received news of the fundraising achievement on stage in Orlando.

Get Construction Talking’s fundraising will now draw to a close, but the initiative will still signpost toward construction’s mental health charities for those who wish to contribute funds directly. While the $1M raised to date has already been largely distributed to the charities since 2024, the future $1M commitment will be focused on a range of initiatives to support and improve mental health in construction.

While a number of large organisations and prominent leaders including Gardner Builders, Rogers O’Brien, Juneau Construction, Statom Group, Buildots, Tooey Courtemanche, Fred Mills, Bob Gardner and Sasha Reed have all contributed funds, Get Construction Talking’s $1M target has also been reached through an overwhelming number of small personal donations, demonstrating incredible grassroots support.

Above: Procore's Kris Lengieza, CIASP's Sonya Bohmann, The B1M's Fred Mills and Procore's Sasha Reed reacting to the news on stage at Procore's Groundbreak event in Orlando.

Reacting to the funds committed reaching $2M, Procore’s Sasha Reed said: “Audacious is what I called Fred’s goal. Grateful is the overwhelming feeling seeing that goal exceeded. Our laborers and construction workers are essential to our communities. These funds will support the work that builds the resources and frameworks that allow employers to better care for their people. I can’t say enough how the construction community came together to invest in each other through this work and campaign. Thank you – your leadership will change lives.”

The fundraising news comes ahead of the initiative's Construction Mental Health Summit that will take place at London’s Science Museum on 10 November. Now in its third year, the forum will bring construction’s leaders, advocates and change-makers together for an important check-in on this critical issue.

Above: Get Construction Talking has hit its $1M fundraising target.

The construction sector worldwide is continuing to grapple with a mental health crisis, and while more recent data is starting to demonstrate that progress is being made, the published headline numbers remain sobering. On average, two construction workers die by suicide every day in the UK industry, and that statistic is sadly repeated in Australia. In the US, studies indicate that people are five times more likely to die by suicide working in construction than in any other sector.

Get Construction Talking was created to put the global reach and influence of The B1M and Procore behind efforts to tackle one of construction’s most pressing issues. The B1M commands the world’s largest construction video audience with over 4M YouTube subscribers, while Procore is construction’s leading technology platform.

In addition to its fundraising, the initiative has held action-focused events across London, Sydney, Chicago, Denver and Orlando, published a free Action Plan, launched a video series, influenced international policy, supported the BSI guide on how to talk about suicide in construction in the UK, and organised high-impact awareness campaigns through out of home media across New York’s Times Square and London’s public transport networks.

The initiative has also received the backing of London Mayor Sadiq Khan.

We should all listen to @Fred_Mills, founder of @GetConstTalking on the importance of taking mental health seriously.

I’m encouraging Londoners aged 16+ to take Zero Suicide Alliance’s free training on preventing suicide: https://t.co/C0qESw0F11 https://t.co/S2cqObj3W5

— Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan (@MayorofLondon) May 17, 2025

Wider reaction to Get Construction Talking reaching a $2M commitment to support construction mental health has been swift and far-reaching.

Laura Howdill, corporate fundraising manager at UK construction charity Mates in Mind said it was “an incredible achievement and a fantastic example of what can be accomplished when brilliant people come together.”

Joe Xavier, senior director of health and safety at Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) in the United States said: “As a volunteer member of CIASP's board, this helps us to continue to provide free resources to the industry.”

Andy Rampton, Field Chief Operating Officer International at Procore said it was “such an incredible achievement thanks to the vision and tenacity of Fred Mills and Sasha Reed. Construction is getting more comfortable talking about, and dealing with, mental health and Get Construction Talking has been instrumental. Construction can indeed change!”

We all have a role to play

Summits and fundraising aside, it is important to recognise that we all have a role to play in tackling this issue, and that it is only our collective actions that can truly move the dial.

If you’re unsure how you can play a part or where to start, Get Construction Talking’s Action Plan can provide an introduction. It’s designed to support the industry and complement its many fantastic initiatives, campaign groups and construction mental health charities, by helping more people take the first steps and begin to make an impact.

Addressing the need for collective action, Mills said: “I know from personal experience how tough the silence can be. Let’s break that silence together – across our sites, offices and teams – and take real action before more lives are lost.”