on the mental aspects of health and safety. Over 40 years ago,
when I started in this industry, you were expected to leave your
problems behind when you put on your hardhat and went through
the gate to work. We’ve learned that’s not what happens, and are
realizing that investing in our employees’ mental wellbeing is
an opportunity in our industry. The investment of one dollar
in mental health can result in a four dollar return with more
productivity, less loss-time incidents, less absenteeism, affecting
the outcome of the project and everyone involved.”
COVID-19 bringing solutions into the open
“Because of COVID-19, I think people are more open to
conversations about mental health,” said Walker. “If anything,
it’s given us the opportunity to be a bit more mainstream, not
get weird looks when we talk about our goals and the pledge.
Now, many times we are expanding the conversation beyond the
workplace to tools and resources that can also benefit families
and communities in these stressful times. Perhaps there are
problems at home and with other stressors. By equipping our
workforce, we are not just having an impact on our employees,
but they can go out and positively impact their community.”
Sizemore adds that if there is anything positive coming
out of COVID-19, it’s that it is okay now to talk about mental
health issues.
“It’s real and it’s getting national attention; people are
recognizing the impact of the pandemic,” he said. “It’s close
to home now, and that’s where the contractor and everyone
involved in the industry come in. We can respond to this in a
positive manner, have a conversation and find solutions.”
What comes after taking the pledge?
Sizemore advises going to the CIASP website
(preventconstructionsuicide.com) and checking out the
resources, where there is a list of actions contractors can
begin taking.
“We’ve put together a needs analysis tool where you can
complete the document, and it will lay out a strategy to integrate
suicide prevention into your organization,” he said.
From there, CIASP offers step-by-step actions to address suicide
preparation, toolbox talks, videos – a wealth of information and
support. CIASP also has a network of people ready and willing to
help put together a webinar to share information anywhere it is
needed.
Walker sums it up this way: “If people can take away one
thing from our website, that’s a step towards creating a caring
culture in the workplace where people feel safe asking for help for
themselves and for others. That’s what it really comes down to –
creating opportunities for conversation so that checking in isn’t
only done at times of stress but is a regular part of the routine, not
just leadership checking in with employees but also employees
checking in with each other, discussing what’s happening.”
For the upcoming year, Sizemore’s goal is simple.
“If I can influence one contractor or owner to make a decision
about what they can do to address mental health in our industry,
if I equip one person to have a conversation, perhaps save one
person’s life, then I can lay my head on my pillow at night and say
I gave it all I had.” t
MENTAL HEALTH
“For decades now, we have
focused on the physical
safety of employees in our
industry…but we have not
spent the time or energy
on the mental aspects of
health and safety.”
– Greg Sizemore, CIASP
Photos courtesy of CIASP
Michelle Walker
Greg Sizemore
104 | ISSUE 6 2020 www.piledrivers.org
/(preventconstructionsuicide.com
