Yale New Haven Hospital Rising—With Mental Health at the Foundation

2025 marks a century of healthcare construction for Turner. Our story is one of service, innovation, and impact. What makes this milestone special is the difference our people make in the lives of others. Over the past 100 years, our people have delivered medical facilities that support the ever-evolving needs of patients, healthcare professionals, and communities. We are happy to highlight healthcare projects that showcase the work of our people.

As the Yale New Haven Hospital Bed Tower project reached new heights in the Fall of 2023—with steel erection in full swing and concrete slabs following closely behind—so did a new kind of partnership. Turner and Yale New Haven Health came together to focus not only on building a world-class healthcare facility, but also to support the mental health and well-being of the workforce.

With hundreds of men and women working on-site, this flagship project in downtown New Haven provided an opportunity to raise awareness and reduce the stigma surrounding addressing mental health issues in the construction industry. Alarmingly, the Centers for Disease Control reports that construction has the highest suicide rate of any industry.

Turner project leaders approached Yale New Haven Health —a world-class leader in care—to collaborate on a shared mission. The response was overwhelmingly positive, and from there, the partnership was born.

Leveraging Yale New Haven Health’s extensive resources and expertise, the team organized its first site-wide event: a stand-down on World Mental Health Day, facilitated by Bud Wassell, Yale New Haven Health’s Coordinator for Employee and Family Resources. The discussion focused on Employee Assistance Programs, offering insight into how these services support union tradespeople, the confidentiality of the process, and what to expect when reaching out.

Over the next year and a half, additional events covered topics such as Suicide Awareness and Prevention, Stress Reduction, Opioid Awareness, and Naloxone Training. Each session delivered critical information and resources, fostering an open dialogue about mental health on the job site.

As Turner is delivering a best-in-class facility that will enable Yale New Haven Health to care for individuals for generations to come, Yale New Haven Health is providing Turner and its workforce with best-in-class mental health resources. This creates an environment that prioritizes the well-being of the men and women building this landmark project.