Mental Health Awareness in the AECO Industry: Lessons from Equestrian Therapy and a Conversation with Marge Hart, Newforma’s SVP of Product

May is Mental Health Awareness Month-a time to recognize that mental health is as vital as physical health. Architecture, Engineering, Construction, and Operations (AECO) is without a doubt a high-pressure world where mental health challenges are common yet often go unspoken. In this blog, we share insights from a conversation with Marge, who volunteers with an equestrian therapy program for veterans, and explore how her experiences offer lessons for our industry.  

The AECO sector is known for its demanding pace, perfectionism, and high stakes. As Marge notes, the pressure to avoid mistakes can be overwhelming, and operating at this level for long periods can take a toll on mental health. Both construction professionals and military veterans face environments where vulnerability is rare, and trust is essential for seeking help.

Marge’s journey began with a simple “yes” to cooking for a weekend retreat for special forces veterans. The experience was physically and emotionally exhausting, but also transformative. She witnessed firsthand the darkness many veterans carry-and the healing that can happen when people connect and support each other.

At a WWII Remembrance ride in Normandy, Marge saw a horse intuitively comfort a veteran grieving a friend lost to suicide.

One veteran, deeply struggling, found hope through the program and now works to help others, pursuing a PhD in Animal Assisted Therapy.

Group sessions encouraged participants to share personal stories, creating bonds and a sense of belonging that allowed them to share stories they had never spoken before.

Perfectionism and the fear of failure are deeply ingrained in both the military and construction. Mistakes can have serious consequences, leading to chronic stress and reluctance to seek help.

Marge emphasizes that trust is the foundation for open conversations about mental health. Peer support-whether through formal groups or casual conversations-can make all the difference.

Marge’s message is simple:

“Sometimes all it takes is someone to say, ‘I see you.’” Whether you’re a leader, a peer, or someone who’s struggling, reaching out can make all the difference. Let’s continue the conversation, support one another, and work together to build a healthier, more compassionate AECO industry.

If you or someone you know is struggling, you are not alone. Here are crisis lines and mental health resources for Canada, the United States, and the United Kingdom, as well as industry-specific organizations for the AECO and construction sectors.

• 9-8-8 Suicide Crisis Helpline
  Call or text: 9-8-8 (24/7, free, confidential)
  https://988.ca/ 
• 1-800-SUICIDE
  Call: 1-800-784-2433 (24/7, toll-free)
  https://crisiscentre.bc.ca/1-800-suicide/ 
• Canadian Association for Suicide Prevention
  https://suicideprevention.ca/ 
• Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA)
  https://cmha.ca/ 
• Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH)
  https://www.camh.ca/ 

• 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline
  Call or text: 988 (24/7, free, confidential)
  https://988lifeline.org/ 
• Crisis Text Line
  Text: HOME to 741741 (24/7)
  https://www.crisistextline.org/ 
• National Mental Health Hotline
  Call: 866-903-3787 (24/7)
  https://mentalhealthhotline.org/ 
• Veterans Crisis Line
  Call: 988, then press 1
  Text: 838255
  https://www.veteranscrisisline.net/ 
• SAMHSA National Helpline
  Call: 1-800-662-HELP (4357)
  https://www.samhsa.gov/find-help/national-helpline 

• Samaritans
  Call: 116 123 (24/7, free)
  Email: jo@samaritans.org
  https://www.samaritans.org/ 
• National Suicide Prevention Helpline UK
  Call: 0800 689 5652 (6pm to midnight daily)
  https://www.spuk.org.uk/ 
• Shout Crisis Text Line
  Text: SHOUT to 85258 (24/7)
  https://giveusashout.org/ 
• Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM)
  Call: 0800 58 58 58 (5pm–midnight daily)
  Webchat: https://www.thecalmzone.net/ 
• Papyrus HOPELINEUK (for under 35s)
  Call: 0800 068 4141 (24/7)
  Text: 07786 209 697
  Email: pat@papyrus-uk.org
  https://www.papyrus-uk.org/ 
• NHS 111
  Call: 111 (select mental health option)
  https://www.nhs.uk/nhs-services/mental-health-services/ 

• Construction Industry Alliance for Suicide Prevention (US)
  https://preventconstructionsuicide.com/ 
• BuildSafe – Suicide Prevention in Construction (Canada)
  https://www.buildsafe.ca/mental-health-suicide-prevention/ 
• Mind (UK) – Mental Health at Work
  https://www.mind.org.uk/workplace/mental-health-at-work/ 

• Canada: Call or text 9-8-8 or 1-800-784-2433 
• USA: Call or text 988 or text HOME to 741741 
• UK: Call 116 123 (Samaritans) or text SHOUT to 85258 

You are not alone.