to Danielle Ompad, associate profes- sor of epidemiology at NYU College of Global Public Health and lead author of the NYU study that was published in the journal Drug and Alcohol Dependence (and quoted in Science Daily.com on 10/30/19), “Construction workers are at an increased risk for drug use, which makes them vulnerable to work-related injuries or even overdose deaths.” Te odds are if that person is not you, it could be the person sitting next to you. No matter who that affected person is (yourself, a coworker, a loved one), we all need support and understanding. Bringing this topic into the open helps


to remove the stigma often associated with mental health. Tis perpetuates the shame many people living with mental health conditions feel, contributing to further struggles like depression, anxiety and sub- stance use disorder. Tese individuals may be less likely to reach out for treatment due to the shame from the stigma. Trough education, people can better understand that they are not alone, the condition is not their fault, and how they can access care. Tose who do not live with mental health conditions can learn how to identify and support someone who may have a condition, creating a safer, more inclusive and positive environment for all.


Education and Support in the Workplace I’m proud that Hilti North America supports our team members and their family’s mental health. We provide ample time off should team members need to care for their own mental health or support a close family member. Our benefits are comprehensive, and we offer mental health services through our medical insurance plan. We also offer team members and qualified family up to six free counseling sessions per year, as well as unlimited telehealth sessions.


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CALIFORNIA CONSTRUCTOR SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER 2022


Where To Get Help?


The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) has designated September as Suicide Prevention Awareness Month—a time to raise awareness on this stigma- tized, and often taboo, topic. In addition to shifting public perception, NAMI uses this month to spread hope and vital information to people affected by suicide. If you or someone you know is struggling with suicidal thoughts or sub-


stance abuse, please reach out. 988 has been designated as the new three-digit dialing code that will route callers to the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. Additionally, the national Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services


Administration (SAMHSA) sponsors a free, confidential National Helpline offer- ing 24/7, 375-day-a-year treatment referral and information service (in English and Spanish) for individuals and families facing mental and/or substance use disorders. Call 1-800-662-HELP any time.


Hilti has partnered with the non-profit


organization, Shatterproof (https://www. shatterproof.org/), which provides our team members and their families virtual substance use education, preliminary assessment, and referrals to science-based treatment in their area through their Just Five program which is available through employers. Hilti also hosts educational Team Talks


where mental health professionals and experts discuss mental health topics. Often these talks are sponsored by our executives to make it clear to team members that they are supported in getting care for their mental wellbeing. During October 2021, Hilti hosted a


Mental Health Monday series focusing on one mental health topic per week. Our team members were able to ask questions and learn how to access care or support someone in crisis or living with a mental health condition. In May, we hosted a com- panywide event surrounding substance use disorder which included education as well as ways we can all be more inclusive in the workplace to those who may live with this.


Moving Forward Organizations can host and participate


in activities which benefit mental health organizations like Shatterproof and bring awareness to these topics and de-stigma- tize mental health. Tere are many ways to do this. Some ideas are: 5K’s dedicated to bringing awareness to suicide or substance use, volunteering with organizations that support homeless populations, who often live with mental illnesses, or hosting net- working events. It is a positive step forward that many


organizations within our industry are choosing to focus on mental health and are providing more support for their teams. Continuing to provide opportunities for individuals to educate themselves on the topic is key, as well as creating and implementing policies which facilitate and support employees to access treat- ment for their mental health conditions in the same way they access and receive support for their physical needs. Industry leaders and engineering firms can create a supportive culture where it becomes acceptable to access care without fear of judgement.


Marci Donnelly is Trade Marketing Manager, General & Civil Construction at Hilti North America


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