09/23/2026
My oldest son, Colton Nolan, is in the construction business and you may not realize this but this industry has a high rate of su***de. I didn’t know this until I attended the National AAS Conference, American Association of Su***de, in St. Louis, MO. (I was actually proud of myself for being able to attend.) While he did not attend, Colton did a great job breaking it down in real talk. It’s worth the read. He always said, “MOM, we are not going to be ashamed of Taylor Rae and if we help one person then our work is done!” . Remember, everyone has a story. 😊💕☀️
Construction Su***de Prevention Week may have passed, but the conversation it represents shouldn’t end when the week does.
The construction industry continues to face an alarmingly high rate of su***de. Each year, Construction Su***de Prevention Week asks our industry to talk about something that, for a long time, many people simply didn’t know how—or didn’t want—to talk about.
At Nolan Construction, that conversation is personal.
For us, it has a name.
Taylor Rae Nolan.
Taylor was my sister. We lost her to su***de in 2019. She was only 20 years old.
There are dates on a calendar that come and go, but grief doesn’t follow a calendar. Neither should the conversations that might save someone else’s life.
In construction, we spend a lot of time thinking about safety. We inspect equipment. We wear hard hats. We identify hazards. We talk about what can hurt someone physically before it happens.
But some of the most serious struggles our people face are the ones we can’t see.
Someone can show up to work every morning, put on their boots and hard hat, do their job, laugh with everyone at lunch—and still be fighting something nobody around them knows about.
That’s why we have to pay attention to our people.
Check on the person who suddenly gets quiet.
Notice when someone doesn’t seem like themselves.
Ask the uncomfortable question.
And most importantly, listen.
You don’t have to know exactly what to say. You don’t have to have all the answers. Sometimes letting someone know that they are seen, that they matter, and that they don’t have to carry everything alone is enough to open the door to getting help.
Taylor’s life and her loss are part of our family forever. Through the Rae of Sunshine Foundation, her memory continues to be carried forward through su***de awareness, scholarships, and an effort to bring some light to others who may be going through their darkest days.
Construction Su***de Prevention Week is over.
Our responsibility to look after each other isn’t.
Tomorrow, next week, six months from now—keep checking on your people. Keep having the conversation.
If you are struggling, or if you’re worried about someone else, call or text 988 to reach the Su***de & Crisis Lifeline.
Take care of your people.
You matter. Their life matters.
In loving memory of Taylor Rae Nolan
1999–2019
— Nolan Construction LLC
