May is Mental Health Awareness month. The WSRCC wants to remind our members that there are resources available to them 24-7, 7 days a week and that they never have to feel alone when struggling.
Hoffman Structures is a company that, like the Council and the BOSS committee, is tackling the unfortunate reality that construction workers suffer inordinately from mental health struggles- often alone. Their Get Us There Safe (GUTS) program strives to prioritize all facets of jobsite safety and in 2020 they expanded the program to include a focus on mental health. Hoffman recognizes that construction workers as essential workers, are on the frontlines through some of the biggest stressors of the modern era.
The mental health component of the GUTS program is there to, “get people talking, create awareness, and normalize mental health issues such as depression, anxiety, and substance abuse and addiction.” Onsite resources are available to employees having a crisis and individuals designated with “Tough Enough to Talk” hardhat stickers are available to talk anytime a coworker is in need.
We know our contractors take the issue of mental health just as seriously as we do in our Council. Whether at home or on the jobsite, together with companies like HSI, we want everyone to know that it is okay to not be okay and that there is always someone that has your back if you are in crisis or simply just want someone to talk to.
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