CONEXPO-CON/AGG shines a light on mental health with new resource hub
May is Mental Health Awareness Month and CONEXPO-CON/AGG is shining a light on mental health issues in the construction industry.
Recognizing the unique challenges faced by professionals in this field, the organization has launched a resource hub dedicated to mental wellness. The initiative aims to change the industry's approach to mental health by providing actionable resources, sharing inspiring personal stories, and offering practical advice for both employers and employees.
With a focus on creating a supportive community, CONEXPO-CON/AGG looks to bring awareness to the mental health struggles prevalent in the construction sector and foster an environment where seeking help and discussing mental wellness is normalized and encouraged.
"The construction industry is filled with professionals committed to precision in everything they do," said CONEXPO-CON/AGG Show Director Dana Wuesthoff. "This level of attention and care must also be given to 'the mental health of all construction professionals. CONEXPO-CON/AGG is committed to breaking down stigmas and creating a future where mental health isn't an afterthought but the cornerstone of our industry."
Content includes the CONEXPO-CON/AGG podcast where Denis Cashman shares his battle with addiction and his journey of recovery. Another episode, featuring Ryan Preistly, tackles managing the stress of construction and how to maintain a work/life balance in an industry that doesn't always make it easy to sit back and appreciate achievements.
Encouraging Men to Talk About Mental Health, examines why research shows men die by suicide four times more than women. It also explores the path to destigmatizing mental health and how to encourage men and women to talk about these issues.
Other resources and articles include topics like; Coping with Stress on the Jobsite, Tips for How to Support Your Employees' Mental Health, How to Reduce Stress In Construction, and 7 Step Guide to Improving Mental Health In Construction.
The resource hub can be found here.
The CONEXPO-CON/AGG 365 newsletter will feature content about mental health over the course of the next few months.
The newsletter will tackle topics related to suicide, PTSD and other mental health conditions that are prevalent in the construction industry. There are resources to help – whether you need help yourself or want to help a friend. Where there is help, there is hope.
If you are in a mental health crisis, call or text 988 to speak to a crisis counsellor now. You can also text HOME to 741741 to reach the Crisis Text Line and speak to a live, trained crisis counsellor.
