Jordan Foster Construction Wins 2025 Mental Health Award
Jordan Foster Construction (JFC) is honored to receive the prestigious 2025 Construction Working Minds Mental Health Visionary Award, recognizing its commitment to advancing mental health awareness and strengthening total human health in the construction industry. The award acknowledges organizations and individuals who have made significant contributions toward improving mental health awareness and fostering a safer, more inclusive environment for workers in construction. JFC’s dedication to mental health and workplace safety has set new standards, making it a leader in prioritizing both physical and psychological well-being.
The 2025 Construction Working Minds Summit, held from February 25-27 in Arlington, Texas, served as the venue for this prestigious honor. At the event, JFC’s Environmental Health and Safety (EHS) Operations Manager, Asma Bayunus, accepted the award on behalf of the company. Bayunus has been a driving force behind JFC’s mental health initiatives, leading efforts to implement groundbreaking programs such as mental health first aid training, suicide prevention awareness, and the innovative MindSaver Post-CPR Training Program, a first-of-its-kind initiative in the construction industry.
JFC has long recognized that construction workers face unique mental health challenges, often due to high-pressure environments, demanding physical labor, and job-site stressors. Addressing these issues proactively, JFC has integrated mental health awareness into its broader safety programs. The company believes that safety goes beyond physical measures; it encompasses psychological support and fostering a workplace culture that values mental well-being as a critical component of overall job-site safety.
“Working in the EHS and Risk department at Jordan Foster Construction, safety is ingrained in everything we do,” said Asma Bayunus. “Over the past four years, raising awareness and creating a pathway for those seeking mental health support has been a top priority. This award marks a significant milestone in our ongoing journey of awareness and destigmatization of mental health. As the lead mental health advocate in the company, I am proud to be part of a team that works tirelessly to promote both physical and psychological safety.”
JFC has implemented several key initiatives aimed at improving the mental health landscape within its workforce. These include comprehensive mental health training programs for employees at all levels, fostering open communication about mental health challenges, and ensuring access to resources for workers in need. Mental Health First Aid training has become a cornerstone of JFC’s safety culture, equipping employees with the skills to recognize and respond to signs of mental distress among their peers.
Additionally, the company has been at the forefront of suicide prevention efforts, recognizing that construction workers have one of the highest suicide rates of any profession. JFC has developed targeted awareness campaigns to address this crisis, ensuring that employees know they are not alone and have access to support when they need it most. The company’s commitment extends beyond awareness; it involves active intervention and providing employees with direct access to mental health professionals, confidential counseling services, and peer support networks.
The groundbreaking MindSaver Post-CPR Training Program exemplifies JFC’s innovative approach to mental health. This initiative goes beyond traditional safety training by integrating mental health awareness into CPR training. The program helps employees process the psychological impact of performing life-saving measures on colleagues, a factor often overlooked in standard CPR training. By addressing both the physical and emotional toll of emergency response situations, JFC ensures that its employees are equipped with the tools to manage stress and trauma effectively.
“Jordan Foster Construction is committed to expanding the definition of safety and breaking down silos and communication gaps that hinder safety best practices,” said Tricia Kagerer, Executive Vice President of Risk Management at JFC. “Our Safety and Risk Management team ensures that our operations teams have reliable risk management intelligence to make informed business decisions, run safe projects, and develop communication channels with everyone in the field. We are proud to be trusted advisors for our team.”
Beyond its internal initiatives, JFC actively collaborates with industry partners, mental health organizations, and government agencies to drive broader change within the construction sector. The company has been instrumental in advocating for policies that promote mental health awareness and support systems within the industry. By participating in national and regional discussions on workplace mental health, JFC is helping to shape the future of construction safety on a much larger scale.
The impact of JFC’s mental health programs has been profound, with employees reporting increased awareness, reduced stigma, and a greater sense of support from their peers and leadership. By integrating mental health into its core safety practices, JFC is not only protecting its workforce but also fostering a culture of care and support that extends beyond the workplace. This commitment to holistic well-being has positioned the company as a model for the construction industry, proving that prioritizing mental health is not just beneficial but essential for long-term success.
In addition to receiving the Mental Health Visionary Award, JFC has been recognized for its overall commitment to safety. In 2024, the company was named one of the nation’s safest construction firms by the Associated General Contractors, further cementing its reputation as an industry leader in health, safety, and risk management.
