Mental Health Awareness
The Construction Industry Accounts for 20 percent of the Nation’s Suicides
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the construction industry has the second highest suicide rate among major industries, as 53 out of every 100,000 construction workers die by suicide per year.
Additionally, construction workers represent about 25 percent of fatal opioid overdoses among all workers.
The LMCT is Here to Help.
Suicide is no longer a taboo subject in the union construction industry, especially in the Insulators Union. Through our partners YouTurn Health and All One Health, we are seeking to provide our Brothers and Sisters with the help they need.
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ToolBox Talks
Stress Management and Burnout
According to a 2022 study by the American Psychological Association, 72 percent of U.S. adults have experienced stress so severe that it impacts their health.
- Why it is important to talk about stress management.
- Questions to facilitate a discussion around stress management.
- Information on the YouTurn Health program and how to access it.
ToolBox Talks
Suicide Prevention
- Why it is important to talk about suicide prevention.
- Questions to facilitate a discussion around suicide prevention.
- Information on the YouTurn Health program and how to access it.
Suicide Prevention
Risk Factors/Warning Signs
Risk factors include:
- Mental illness in the individual or their family
- Traumatic events
- Being a military member, first responder or construction worker
- Not having a strong support system
- Substance use
- Bullying
- Social isolation
Warning signs may include:
- Increased isolation
- Talking about being a burden
- Mood swings
- Anxiety or anger
- Expressing hopelessness
- Making comments about “leaving” or “dying”
How to Help Someone Who Is Struggling
Here are some ways you can help with suicide prevention
- If and when you can, reach out to that person at work or school who seems lonely and might need a friend.
- Strengthen bonds with those you feel comfortable with and be vocal about your love and support. Let people know that you are a safe person for them to confide in and are willing to be a person that can open up to.
- If you know someone that you think might be struggling, ask them directly.
- If someone confides in you, help them find support and resources.
- Start with the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. They can call or text 988 or join an online chat at 988lifeline.org.
Dealing With Grief
Loss and coping with loss are experiences that touch us throughout our lives. Since we spend so much time with our co-workers, the loss we feel is significant when they are gone. Many describe their work teams as being like a family, and the loss of a colleague can be impactful.
After a loss, it’s not uncommon for people to experience grief. Grief is not limited to experiences with death. Grief can manifest from the loss of a job, a move away from close friends, a divorce, or a tough breakup. To process and cope with these losses, you must understand grief itself.
Invest In Yourself
Setting Goals, Changing Habits and What to Do if You Make a Mistake
Setting goals and changing habits isn’t necessarily easy, but it is definitely achievable.
Whether it’s to quit for Dry January, to use in long-term moderation or to be totally abstinent, you will benefit from an understanding of the stages of change, how long it takes to form a habit, how to establish a goal and what to do if you make a mistake.
What to Expect at Your First AA Meeting
Elizabeth McKissick, co-founder of Youturn Health, has been in recovery for substance use disorder for 17 years and is a strong advocate for sharing her story in the hopes of helping others struggling with dependency and misuse.
In this blog, she recalls the first time she went to an AA meeting and gives readers an idea of what to expect when they go to a meeting for the first time.