United States
Podcast Episode
Strong Foundations: Supporting Mental Health in Construction
May 15, 2026
What happens when stress and distractions become hidden safety risks on the jobsite? In this episode of Building Conversations, host Greg Dunkle—STO Building Group’s Chief Operating Officer—is joined by Robert Labbe, Vice President of Risk Engineering Services at American Global, and Jeff Matthews, Safety Director of Structure Tone Philadelphia, to discuss why mental health and suicide prevention must be part of the construction safety conversation.
Key Takeaways
- Mental health and emotional well-being are essential components of jobsite safety.
- Stress and distraction can impact focus, increasing the risk of accidents and quality issues.
- Leaders at every level play a critical role in recognizing when someone may be struggling.
- Simple check-ins and conversations can help identify issues before they become crises.
- Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs) and union resources are valuable tools that often go underutilized.
- Self-care practices such as exercise, music, time outdoors, and connection with others can improve resilience.
- Creating a culture where workers feel comfortable speaking up is key to prevention and support.
Highlights In This Episode
The episode explores how mental health directly impacts focus, decision-making, and awareness—making it just as important as PPE and other physical safety measures.
Rob Lobby and Jeff Matthews share personal and professional experiences that underscored the need for greater awareness and suicide prevention in the industry.
By “reading the room,” observing behavioral changes, and having regular conversations with workers and colleagues.
Distractions caused by personal challenges can lead to mistakes, missed hazards, and reduced quality on the jobsite.
Those who work side by side every day are often best positioned to notice changes and provide support.
Using multiple communication methods, including meetings, QR codes, podcasts, and jobsite discussions.
Many employees and managers are unaware of the full range of services available, from counseling to financial planning.
By sharing openly, listening without judgment, and normalizing conversations around mental health.
Exercise, music, pets, time in nature, and setting boundaries are all practical ways to reduce stress.
You don’t need to be an expert to help—sometimes simply asking, “How are you doing?” can make all the difference.
Closing Summary
In this episode of Building Conversations, Greg Dunkel is joined by Rob Lobby, Vice President of Risk Engineering Services at American Global, and Jeff Matthews, Safety Director of Structure Tone Philadelphia, to discuss why mental health and suicide prevention must be part of the construction safety conversation. From recognizing signs of stress to improving awareness of support resources, the discussion offers practical insights for leaders and workers alike. The episode reinforces a powerful message: protecting people means caring for both their physical safety and their mental well-being.
Host
Greg Dunkle
Chief Operating Officer
STO Building Group
With over 30+ years of experience managing full-service construction companies, Greg Dunkle is an expert in development, design, pre-construction, and construction services spanning multiple markets and sectors.
As Chief Operating Officer, Greg is responsible for the overall direction and leadership of STO Building Group’s Corporate Services group, including Human Resources, Information Technology, Safety, Risk Management, Legal Services, and Compliance & Audit. He also plays a key role in the company’s merger and acquisition process, strategic planning, and various operational improvement initiatives. Prior to joining STOBG, Greg served as Executive Vice President, Eastern Division Manager, for Tutor Perini Corporation and spent 22 years with Gilbane Building Company.
Greg’s dedication to our industry extends to the community as well. He is a member of the national board of directors for the ACE Mentor Program, which connects architecture, engineering, and construction professionals to high school students to inspire them to pursue AEC careers.
Greg is also a LEED Accredited Professional, a CMAA Certified Professional, and OSHA 30-Hour certified. He holds a bachelor of architectural engineering degree in construction management from Penn State.
Guests
Robert Labbe
Vice President - Risk Engineering
American Global
Robert Labbe is a Vice President – Risk Engineering Specialist at American Global. Rob has over 20+ years of experience managing construction projects with the focus areas of Safety, Quality, and Productivity. Through his leadership, Rob helps guide American Global clients to develop best practices for health and safety programs while following through on their execution in the field. Prior to American Global, Rob was a Senior Risk Engineering Consultant for Zurich North America’s Construction Division. In that role, he was responsible for providing risk engineering services to construction industry stakeholders to reduce losses and increase productivity at both the project and corporate levels. He facilitated the integration of underwriting, engineering, and claims services to support positive client outcomes. Prior to Zurich, Rob worked for several national and global construction companies in operational roles (Field Engineer, Project Engineer, Superintendent, Project Manager, etc.) with increasing responsibilities. Rob is a graduate of Wentworth Institute of Technology with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Construction Management.
Jeffrey Matthew
Safety Director
Structure Tone Philadelphia
Jeffrey Matthew has extensive experience in safety management and project oversight within the construction and military sectors. As Safety Director at Structure Tone since February 2016, Jeffrey oversees safety protocols and practices. In addition to this role, Jeffrey has served in the US Air Force Reserve since August 1997, currently holding the position of Deputy Commander of the 514th Maintenance Group. Prior experience includes a significant tenure as Project Manager at Skanska USA from February 1998 to January 2016. Academically, Jeffrey holds a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering from Virginia Military Institute and a Master of Science in Construction Management from Drexel University.
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