by Jessica Gillette | Dec 18, 2024
SUICIDE PREVENTION IN THE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY WITH VITALCOG
Thursday, January 30, 2025 | 2:00PM – 4:00PM
The construction industry has one of the highest suicide rates. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found that men working in construction have one of the highest suicide rates by population: their rate of suicide is about four times higher than the general population and is the second-highest rate of all workplace industries at 45 per 100,000. The solution starts with you. Sign up for the VitalCog in Construction training and learn early warning signs and how to talk to someone about suicide.
This 60-minute training includes videos, group discussions/exercises, and roleplays to create a better understanding of your role in suicide prevention in the construction industry:
• Design: Learn the importance of talking about suicide in the construction industry
• Bid: Identify risk factors and warning signs
• Build: Practice conversations around suicide
Goals of this training are to promote critical thinking about suicide prevention, create an open dialogue about mental health and promote help-seeking and help-giving behaviors. After the training, participants feel knowledgeable about suicide prevention, confident talking about suicide and getting help and are likely to apply what they have learned.
Take care of a friend, a loved one, or yourself. Call, text, or chat with a 988 Lifeline counselor for help during difficult moments anytime, day or night.
LOCATION
ABC-VA Central Virginia Training Facility
1600 East Parham Road, Richmond, VA 23228
COST
This seminar is free for members and non-members.
Snacks will be available
Questions?
Contact Sherrie Dickerson
by Jessica Gillette | Oct 15, 2024
MENTAL HEALTH FIRST AID (MHFA)
REGISTER HERE
Offered by Mid Atlantic OTI Education Center, this course will be held at ABC-VA Hampton Roads Training Facility, Host Training Organization
Friday, November 8, 2024 | 8:00AM – 4:00PM
Mental Health FIRST AID (MHFA) teaches you how to identify, understand and respond to signs of mental health and substance use challenges among adults. You’ll build the skills and confidence you need to reach out and provide initial support to those who are struggling. You’ll also learn how to help connect them to appropriate support.
This course covers:
· Common signs of symptoms of mental health challenges
· Common signs and symptoms of substance abuse challenges
· How to interact with a person in crisis
· How to connect a person with help
· Expand content on trauma, substance abuse and self-care
Learn how to respond with the Mental Health First Aid Action Plan (ALGEE):
· Assess for risk of suicide or harm
· Listen nonjudgmentally
· Give reassurance and information
· Encourage appropriate professional help
· Encourage self help and support strategies
Program from National Council for Mental Wellbeing/ Mental Health Assoc of Maryland
Prerequisites: Students are required to complete an online enrollment and 2 hour assessment prior to the class. This pre-work is self paced. A link will be provided upon course registration.
Course Includes: Student materials, lunch and refreshments
LOCATION
ABC-VA Hampton Roads Training Facility
530 Independence Parkway, Suite 500, Chesapeake, VA 23320
**Student parking and entrance is in the back of the building.**
COST
Member – $150
Non-Member – $175
SCHEDULE
Please visit CRSC registration link above
by Jessica Gillette | Apr 9, 2024
May is Mental Health Awareness Month, and we are proud to announce the launch of “Breaking the Stigma”, a series of workshops aimed at promoting mental health awareness and well-being within the construction industry. This series is joint-hosted with ABC New Hampshire/Vermont.
Please note: registration will close at 2:00PM on Thursday, April 25.
KEY DETAILS
- Wednesdays in May 2024
- Time: 11:30 am – 12:30 pm (EST)
- Platform: Zoom
- Cost: $100 per company grants access to each week’s presentation for the entire staff
SESSION TOPICS
May 1: Hardhat Health – It’s Okay to Not Be Okay
May 8: Addiction in Construction
May 15: Civility & Respect Across Difference: Reducing Stress & Increasing Productivity in Construction
May 22: Why is Suicide So Prevalent in Construction?
May 29: Brett’s Story: Lived Experience
Cost: $100 per member company gives your entire staff access to each week’s presentation
SESSION DESCRIPTIONS:
May 1: Hardhat Health – It’s Okay to Not Be Okay
Mental health is a significant concern for workers in the construction industry. Construction can be a high-stress environment, driven by deadlines and long working hours. Many workers deal with physical pain and fatigue that can lead to poor emotional well-being over time. Stigma is a barrier for people who may be struggling so normalizing conversations about mental health is a great way to support people who may be struggling. This session will address the following:
- The impact of mental health challenges on the well-being of employees
- Discover a variety reasons why mental health disorders are so prevalent in the construction industry
- Recognize signs and symptoms of mental health challenges
Presented by: Harald Carlson, MBA, ARM, LEED AP – BD&C Trainer, OHS&T
May 8: Addiction in Construction
Addiction is a major health issue for anyone, but there are additional risks for construction workers. This workshop will address:
- The Numbers
- How Addiction Happens
- Harm Reduction Strategies
- Policy Modification
Presented by: Mary Drew, MS, MEd, Founder & CEO, Reality Check, Inc.
May 15: Civility & Respect Across Difference: Reducing Stress & Increasing Productivity in Construction
“Reducing Stress & Increasing Productivity in Construction”
When creating cultures that value psychological safety, civility and respect play a key role. This workshop will explain the value of civility and respectful behavior in a construction company setting and the basic concepts that lead to effectively interacting with people from various backgrounds, cultures (Black, Asian, Latinx, Indigenous, etc.) and personality characteristics.
The workshop will address:
- What civility and respect are
- Why civility and respect across difference is important
- Definitions of diversity, culture equity, inclusion, implicit bias
- The impact on mental health and the harm that is done to individuals and the company when unintended discrimination occurs.
Presented by: James T. McKim, Jr., PMP, ITIL, Managing Partner, Organizational Ignition, LLC
May 22: Why is Suicide So Prevalent in Construction?
This workshop will address the following:
- Understanding appropriate language around mental health and suicide
- Gain an understanding of why the construction industry has some of the highest suicide rates
- Recognize the signs and realize that it’s not just those in the field who are impacted
- Hear about best practices to create a culture of care and support workers impacted by suicide ideology, mental health challenges and substance use disorder
- Review resources available
Time permitting, we will watch a 7-minute survivor story video with Justin Azbill, Director of National Environment, Health & Safety Milwaukee Tool
NOTE: This is NOT a suicide prevention training
Presented by: Jennifer Landon, M.Ed., Certified Construction Suicide Prevention Trainer, Grief Educator, Mental Health First Aider, ABC NH/VT Vice President, Education & Workforce Development
May 29: Brett’s Story: Lived Experience
Brett, project manager, licensed plumber, and person in recovery from alcohol addiction will share some of his stories related to mental health challenges, his addiction and how he now supports those as a leader in his industry and in recovery.
“I’ve learned that most people with abuse problems, believe it or not, are just broken. They are some of the nicest people you’d ever want to meet. I learned a lot about myself and how I was a broken person. I now think that alcohol wasn’t so much the problem for me when I was drinking as it was more of a medicine for me. It was my fix all. Someone died? Drink. Someone was born? Drink. Happy? Drink. Sad? Drink. Work is great? Drink. Work sucks? Drink. Funny enough, I knew I had a problem for years and I was ashamed of it.”
Brett will also discuss the value of working for a company that supports their employees.
