Boston – NFL wide receiver Kendrick Bourne and nationally recognized suicide prevention speaker Kevin Hines will headline the opening night of the 6th Annual Building Trades Recovery Week, held to bring urgent attention to the mental health and substance use disorder crisis impacting construction workers across New England.
Hosted by the Building Trades Employers’ Association (BTEA) Northeast in partnership with union leaders and subcontractor members, the event will convene construction workers, industry leaders, and advocates to promote recovery resources, reduce stigma, and save lives. Opening night will be held on April 27 from 4:00 – 6:00 p.m. at Iron Workers Local 7 at 195 Old Colony Ave in Boston.
Construction workers remain the most at-risk workforce for overdose deaths in the United States. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the industry has the highest rate of fatal drug overdoses—more than three times the national average for all workers. Workers in construction also face a significantly elevated risk of suicide compared to other professions, with male workers seeing rates four to five times the national average.
“Too many in our industry are struggling in silence,” said Thomas S. Gunning, BTEA’s executive director. “This event is about breaking that silence and making sure every worker knows help is available.”
During opening night, Bourne and Hines will share personal stories about mental health challenges, recovery, and resilience, offering a message of hope and support to workers and families affected by substance use disorder and suicide.
