Works Initiative News | Worker Wellness & Career Opportunities

Wellness & Well-being Highlights February 12

Wellness & Well-being Highlights

for the

Week of February 12, 2024

This week’s edition of our Worker Wellness & Well-being blog consists of topics concerning when one should drive after smoking weed vs ingesting it to the dangers of the proliferation of sports gambling regarding young adults (research indicates that “…the development of the prefrontal cortex occurs mainly during adolescence and is NOT fully accomplished until around the age of 25 years.”) to whether or not the NLRB will rule that college athletes are to be considered employees (Please refer my blog from last week and note the potential implications going forward!). Today, I wish to shed some light on a topic I have covered in the past but, in spite of our harm reduction efforts, it continues to pose risks and challenges in the construction industry: OUD/SUD overdoses. As noted in the article linked below, construction workers already die at a higher rate than workers in any other industrial sector: US-DOL data suggests at a rate of 10 per 100,000 (2020). However, when it comes to deaths by overdose, construction workers die at a rate of 162 per 100,000. Sadly, but simply put, when it comes to construction workers, they are 16x more likely to die from overdoses than work-related injuries (i.e., falls, electrocution, etc.). So, in a nod to L. Elridge Cleaver: How do “we” become part of the solution vs remain part of the problem? In the short term, consider: a) Securing Narcan for ALL of your office, shop, and job site First Aid Kits [1] and train your respective key employees to recognize someone in danger and properly administer Narcan [2]; b) In the mid-term, offer mental health and resilience trainings to your employees to reduce stress via a top-down integration strategy [3]; and c) In the long term, develop a sustainable organization-wide programmatic approach to address ongoing related issues (i.e., LEAN-STL, MATES: WashU’s School of Medicine and Tarlton have recently teamed up to run a pilot).

In closing, 5 of my longtime friends have lost sons (24-36 yo) since 2016 to Opioids. I, for one, refuse to stand idly by and watch 5 more lose loved ones. No matter what industry sector you work in, PLEASE join me in helping save our youth and, in turn, ensuring a better physically & mentally fit America for tomorrow. Thank you!

Sources: https://www.nytimes.com/2024/02/08/business/construction-drug-overdose-deaths.html?unlocked_article_code=1.UE0.6EGE.fB76JdVXHtM3&smid=nytcore-ios-share&referringSource=articleShare

[1] Free Narcan @ https://www.nomodeaths.org/where-to-get-naloxone

[2] Narcan Training @ https://moworksinitiative.org/worker-wellness-program/

[3] MH & Resilience Trainings @ https://moworksinitiative.org/worker-wellness-program/

[4] LEAN-STL @ https://www.stllaborers.com/lean-stl; MATES model @ https://mates.org.au/

Construction Industry’s TOP Killer: OVERDOSES

The fate of “110” in OR

Native Americans / Opioids / Mobile HC

Native Americans / Liver Transplants / Death Sentence

Marijuana & Safe Driving?

US / Sports / Gambling Addiction

OSHA Mental Health fact sheet (English / Spanish)

UK / Employees / Health Problems @ Work

Schools / MH therapy / Kids v Parents

Outdoor therapy for depression…

Young Adults & Earlier Bedtimes

Are more if us turning towards Alternative Medicine?

Post-COVID / Sick Days

Women / Cognitive Decline / PCOS

Why do most women feel colder?

The gift of Hearing

On US drug prices

The “Soulmate” Myth

The quest to decode the Brain

Wellness & Well-being Highlights February 5

Wellness & Well-being Highlights

for the

Week of February 5, 2024

This week’s edition of our Worker Wellness & Well-being blog consists of topics covering happiness in the workplace to how the US Senate grilled social media giants’ so-called “leaders” for failing to keep kids safe on the internet to how the VA is increasing its mental health staff in an attempt to reduce Veteran suicides. Today, I wish to shed some light on the importance of creating systems that provide unbiased third-party auditors to oversee the safety of workers when we, as a society, knowingly recognize dangerous situations. Please take the time to read the 2 stories linked below regarding the NFL’s attempt to shield their owners from assisting players severely damaged on the field of play. This is NOT the first-time claims have been made indicating that biased “internal” reviewers are preventing injured (retired) players from seeking the medical assistance required to sustain some normalcy during the remainder of their lives…this impacts not only those players but their families/caretakers too! A lack of transparency should be a red flag for even a novice on this matter. So, I ask: Why are NFL owners not subjected to OSHA’s rules when it comes to players’ safety. Responses I have received to this inquiry are nothing short of confusing. First, I am told that professional athletes are considered independent contractors. As a construction professional for over 4 decades, I have seen this term IC change its shape more than once. However, here are 2 seemingly mainstay issues that immediately come to mind for me: Working where and when one wants to. (How is it possible for NFL player to play a game scheduled for KC at 2p today to show up if he so chooses in LA at 7a tomorrow?) Here’s a second sticking point: There will be pushback from owners and the players’ union if safety rules significantly changes the (competitive) nature of the game. And, even if this were possible, OSHA does not have the expertise to regulate this unique sport. To both of these claims I must say BALDERDASH!

1) Ask any contractor that has been in the construction industry for the past 40 years if the safety rules they competitively operate under today are the same as the rules from 10, 20, and/or 35 years ago. Of course not. Why? The industry has evolved and OSHA has played a big part in that evolution by working with owners, contractors, and workers (often unions that represent these workers). To this end, lives have been saved: Think: Fall Protection, Focus-Four, etc.

2) Regarding OSHA not having the expertise, they already deal with a wide variety of construction and general industry scenarios. I am not sure if it would be ignorance or arrogance for the NFL to suggest that OSHA cannot answer the call. None of OSHA’s work is done in a silo. They seek input from various researchers (subject matter experts) on an ongoing basis! It is hard for me to imagine this nation lacks the expertise with the recent increase of exercise science, OTD, and DPT programs across college campuses in this nation.

In closing, it is human nature to resist change but is also in human nature to reasonably protect our loved ones from danger. Hopefully, evolution has taken our entertainment mindset well beyond the days of the Roman Gladiators. Currently, when it comes to the NFL, ensuring that professional athletes have healthy, productive lives long after they retire from the sport seems to be too much to ask. PLEASE remember this when you are watching football’s biggest event next Sunday.

Sources: https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/interactive/2024/nfl-concussion-settlement/?itid=hp-more-top-stories_p007_f005

https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2024/01/31/nfl-dementia-claims/

Work & Happiness

Baby-boomers / Workplace / Happiness

Stress & Work-Life Balance

Employees rate Company Well-being programs

Canada & Treaty on Ending Workplace Violence

Signs of Burnout

Canada & Medically-assisted Death

Update: Alzheimers / New drug / Black patients

EU vaping ban

Social Media / US Senate / Child Safety

Sexting & Teens

IL revisits BIPA

Teens / Drugs & Alcohol / MH

Helicopter parents & Empty nests

Opioid conviction overturned

Methadone & Telemedicine

OUD in Prisons

OR’s Fentanyl emergency

MO revisits Psychedelics debate

Ketamine: The Wild West

VA boosts MH professional staff

Under 40’s early bedtimes

Mindfulness & Stress

Gratitude & Mindfulness

On getting fit again

Alcohol & Exercise

How taking a timeout improves your future

Drs & Fatphobia

On catching Dementia early

Naturopathic Drs / MO / Licensing

Scented candles & Your health

Wellness & Well-being Highlights January 29

Wellness & Well-being Highlights

for the

Week of January 29, 2024

This week’s edition of our Worker Wellness & Well-being blog consists of topics concerning the importance of treating inmates for OUD before releasing them to how mindfulness is helping grade schoolers deal with trauma (especially underserved populations) to how the ongoing theft of packages from cargo containers on West Coast freight trains overshadows the various organized “smash & grab” incidents across the nation. Today, I wish to shed some light on a few levels of Mental Health (MH). Spoiler Alert: Some of these I may have mentioned in previous blogs…but deserve another citation as this provides a pathway to Stop the Stigma by Breaking the Silence! First, I suggest viewing the short video wherein Dr. Jen provides an overview on MH. Next, take some time to review the article on how carefully placed barriers (i.e., safety nets on bridges, offsite gun storage, lockable home medication safes, etc.) can save lives. As cited a few weeks ago, this topic is NOT about being anti-gun…it is ALL about being anti-suicide! Experts insist we can save more lives by placing time and distance between people having suicidal thoughts and lethal means. Finally, there are FIVE links in the “Upcoming webinars” section at the end of this blog that can provide you with the tools to not only help others but yourself as well. I respectfully ask that you become informed on and/or weigh in on how:

*MH plays an important role in one’s physical health;

*Why Narcan is the new CPR;

*How workplace culture impacts one’s MH;

*Self-care; and

*MH impacts Adults v Children.

Thank you!

Sources: Mental Health Parity

Narcan in the Workplace

Survey: Construction Culture

Mindful Mondays (12-12:30p CT)

MHFA Trainings

MH explained

On stopping a Panic Attack

Warning: Anti-anxiety drugs

Update: Opioid settlements

Opioids & Prison Population

AI and Opioids

Suicide Safety “Nets”

Suicide Rates & Gun Storage

988 / MH / Suicide

Suicide on College Campus

Colleges / MH / Discrimination

Mindfulness & School Kids (1)

Mindfulness & School Kids (2)

Renaming forms of cancer?

A treatment for Tinnitus?

Dogs / Tails / Humans

Another case for child safety laws

Update: Union membership % (1)

Update: Union membership % (2)

ALU’s fight for survival

UAW & Biden

SLFD / Promotions / Testing

China & Forced Labor

China & Jobless Youth

On why India is not China

Tougher job searches

On going remote: International jobs

Employees dissatisfaction on the rise

Theft on Trains

On ignoring nasty emails

US has lost faith in college’s value

Wellness & Well-being Highlights January 22

Wellness & Well-being Highlights

for the

Week of January 22, 2024

This week’s edition of our Worker Wellness & Well-being blog consists of topics concerning whether or not the US health care system is prepared to handle the surge of senior citizens with disability issues to how the lack of child care options are negatively impacting the mental health of both children and parents to how teletherapy has provided college and university students access to mental health care in an era where many institutions were unprepared, understaffed, or overwhelmed to address the demand. Today, I wish to shed some light on addiction, epidemics, and advances. If you have been following this blog for more than a few weeks, it is evident that I place a lot of emphasis on the opioids crisis. In the past week, 2 very good pieces ran on national or local TV stations touching on what is being done to address the opioids epidemic (I suggest it be referred to as a pandemic since the scourge goes well beyond our borders). Last Sunday, CBS’ 60 Minutes did a great job with a follow up story on brain-related medical advances to treating Alzheimers and drug addiction. Meanwhile, KMOV in STL held a panel discussion on what different stakeholders were doing to combat Fentanyl at the local level. I urge you to find some time to view the links below, including the 2 on Meth and Addiction, so you have a grounding on these topics. Your understanding on how these matters impact our communities and society—in general—is key to us collectively finding solutions. The first step in breaking down barriers and stigma is opening one’s mind. Believe me, how I thought about these issues 10 years ago, is nowhere near to where I am today. Lesson learned: Be proactive…don’t wait until a dear family member or friend dies to engage in this life and death battle for our future!

Sources: https://www.cbsnews.com/amp/news/neurosurgeon-works-to-slow-alzheimers-progression-treat-drug-addiction-60-minutes-transcript/

https://www.firstalert4.com/2024/01/19/combating-crisis-roundtable-fentanyl/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qJ-qX3yrxC0

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UlYC0syLe7g

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cidH_i4BA10

On slowing Alzheimers

Can US healthcare handle the “Senior Surge”

ADDICTION

Meth epidemic

Fentanyl Epidemic

Combatting the STL Fentanyl Crisis

Canada / Opioids / Homelessness

Equine Therapy

Do wellness programs work?

Tips for better sleep

Sleep & Light

Diabetes / Amputations / Latinos

How (lack of) Child Care impacts kids & adults

How parenting impacts kids & adults

Minority Kids & Poor HC

A war on MH Stigma

Students & Teletherapy

Sour Candy & Panic Attacks

Impact of US Gun Violence

MO / Guns / Schools

NYC subway shooting

Lincoln U / VP / Suicide

Canada / EOL / Psilocybin

Banning plastic water bottles?

Fixing: Bikes & Homelessness

New Year / Staying Fit / Focus

Does resilience “up your game”?

Update: SWA & Narcan

How drug traffickers exploit a World Heritage Site

CA & Youth Football

Mahomes’ broken helmet: Did its job…but what about the refs?

Child labor & Fast foods

A Labor Standards board?

Robots & Rising labor costs

DOL’s ruling on IC status

China’s construction workers

Employee satisfaction

Do BIG raises last?

More MBAs…Less jobs

Update: US Passports

Youth / Driving / Crash testing

The Paper Ceiling

Wellness & Well-being Highlights January 15

Wellness & Well-being Highlights

for the

Week of January 15, 2024

This week’s edition of our Worker Wellness & Well-being blog consists of topics from the dangers of nanoplastics in bottled water & ultra-processed foods in our diets to a 5-part podcast series on Fentanyl’s impact within the community that ran this past week on IL-NPR to how DBE goals and DEI efforts are being challenged at various public/private levels. Today, I wish to shed some light on the importance of doing your homework before using drugs…be it for medicinal or recreational purposes. As with so many aspects of our lives, products, technology, etc. entail good points and bad points. For your sake or that of a family member or friend, consider the following: 1) To suggest that the potency of marijuana today, in general, is anywhere close to what it was four decades ago is a bit naïve. Not to mention, who uses it and how much is being used. It is no secret that human brains continue to develop until about 25 years old. Therefore, when youth “experiment” with such a substance, results can be life-altering. Especially if one considers that when it comes to young men in their early 20s, misuse may trigger other serious mental health issues. 2) Over the past couple of years, more information concerning the positive impact of psychedelics on PTSD has been in the media. Please keep in mind, these findings are based on research that was performed under “laboratory” conditions…not on the street! So, while there seems to be some promising press regarding advancements in once taboo drugs, it behooves each and every one of us to consult our doctors for advice…BEFORE we begin self-medicating based on a 30-second clip we heard on last night’s news. 3) Not yet convinced? Then please take the time to read the article below on “Gas Station Heroin.” Caveat Emptor: Just because a product is sold over-the-counter does not mean it is safe for consumption!

Sources: https://www.wsj.com/us-news/marijuana-depression-psychosis-869490d1?st=fh45daxjhmnd5jm&reflink=share_mobilewebshare https://www.nytimes.com/2024/01/12/health/marijuana-fda-dea.html?smid=nytcore-ios-share&referringSource=articleShare https://www.nytimes.com/2024/01/10/health/gas-station-heroin-tianeptine-addiction.html?unlocked_article_code=1.M00.1Guj.mOpn58JId6aR&smid=em-share

Red Cross declares blood shortage

STL / Cold Weather / Shelter Beds

Long flu

Bottled water: Microplastics vs Nanoplastics

META & Teen restrictions???

Smartphone addiction

Dry January vs Damp January

Marijuana / Teens / Depression

Marijuana: FDA vs DEA

Sam Quinones on the origins of the opioid and fentanyl crisis | The 21st Show | Illinois Public Media

The state of the fentanyl crisis in Illinois | The 21st Show | Illinois Public Media

Harm reduction efforts in Illinois help keep people who use substances safe — and alive | The 21st Show | Illinois Public Media

The politics of opioid overdoses and fentanyl | The 21st Show | Illinois Public Media

A story of recovery and hope — and a look at solutions to the opioid crisis | The 21st Show | Illinois Public Media

Gas Station Heroin

When addiction treatment is not voluntary

B Farve on addiction

Psychedelics & PTSD

New insights to MDMA & PTSD

Medicare & MH

IL takes new approach to MH counseling

UT recommends MH licensing changes

Wellness & Well-being Highlights December 31

Wellness & Well-being Highlights

for the

Week of December 31, 2023

This week’s edition of our Worker Wellness & Well-being blog consists of topics concerning an effort in the UK to bring people to together again via strategically-placed public benches to encourage and improve communications to how more employers are providing wellness benefits via AI (artificial intelligence) to how overachieving & overthinking can actually harm our physical and mental health. Today, I wish to shed some light on how, by next March, Canada may be providing medical-assisted death for their citizens with severe mental illness who opt-in. While some healthcare professionals are in favor of allowing people to die on their own terms with respect to intolerable suffering; others posit that the Canadian healthcare system is sorely underfunded when it comes to mental health which must be addressed since it is in high demand! One doctor indicated that it may be years before seeing improvement when treating complex cases. So, “hopelessness” plays a major role…as it does when it comes to suicide. However, it appears some safeguards are in place:

90-day wait period; and
Approval from 2 independent doctors (including a specialist in the patient’s condition).

If fully enacted, Canada will be one of less than a dozen countries around the world that permits this controversial procedure. To that end, the ethics involving “death by doctor” and “dying with dignity” continue to be debated and are certain to flow south onto the USA’s radar.

Source: https://www.nytimes.com/2023/12/27/world/canada/medical-assisted-death-mental-illness.html?smid=nytcore-ios-share&referringSource=articleShare

Lessons in Kindness

Grief / Compassion / Love

2024 Medicare’s MH Benefits

UK’s “Chatty” Benches

Employers / AI / Wellness Chatbots

Canada / MH / Medical-Assisted Death

Rotary / Narcan / Community

Canada’s threat to US: Fentanyl Labs

NYC & Housing Homeless

Tailoring donations & Homelessness

Outreach workers / London / Homeless Crisis

Genetics & Dementia

ALS & Hope

Why stimulate your Vagus nerve?

Back Pain & PR Therapy

A new treatment for Tinnitus?

Stop OVERdoing it!

Depression & Memory Loss

Update: RSV Vaccine

STL Emergency Contraceptives

Wellness & Well-being Highlights December 24

Wellness & Well-being Highlights

for the

Week of December 24, 2023

This week’s edition of our Worker Wellness & Well-being blog consists of topics concerning a government report indicating that work-related overdose deaths increased by 13% in 2022 (from 2021…continuing the rise since 2012) to how smaller cities are confronting our country’s homelessness dilemma to how gun shops are beginning to play a vital role in suicide prevention efforts— putting time and distance between people in crisis and lethal means—by providing safe storage. Today, I wish to shed some light on the concept of NOT ABOUT US WITHOUT US. Hardly a week goes by where we do not hear or see another story in the media pointing to workforce shortages. Management 101 suggests that in order to obtain organizational cooperation, one needs to ensure that all stakeholders have input. This is why I point to Ireland’s “RU OK?” Program that addresses the mental health needs of their apprentices designed around “their” involvement. It is also good to see that informed and innovative young adults are not waiting for others to pave a better pathway as seen by the new Mental Health app recently developed by 2 teens. And, finally, we get a glimpse at how HOP (Human Organization Performance) safety principles are striving to establish a more proactive focus on employee well-being. Wherein, employees feel safe to seek help without fear of repercussions. In the end, this form of collaboration can contribute to safer and more productive workplaces…which leads to better retention…which creates an environment that attracts more workers!

Sources: https://merrionstreet.ie/en/news-room/news/minister_harris_and_the_apprenticeship_council_launch_r_u_ok_a_wellbeing_and_mental_health_initiative_for_apprentices_in_ireland.169921.shortcut.html

https://www.mprnews.org/episode/2023/12/18/two-minnesota-teens-create-new-app-to-address-youth-mental-health-crisis

https://www.ehstoday.com/health/article/21279553/a-collaborative-approach-to-substance-abuse-policies?o_eid=4597B7977223E4A&oly_enc_id=4597B7977223E4A&rdx.ident[pull]=omeda|4597B7977223E4A&utm_campaign=CPS231219023&utm_medium=email&utm_source=OZ+EHS+Today+Daily+Update

BLS Safety Data 2023 (1)

BLS Safety Data 2023 (2)

Wellness & Well-being Highlights December 18

Wellness & Well-being Highlights

for the

Week of December 18, 2023

This week’s edition of our Worker Wellness & Well-being blog consists of topics concerning the rise of homelessness across the USA, in general, but more specifically regarding our Vets to how a prominent pharmacist promotes the crucial role NARCAN now plays in our country to how some common US military training exercises have not only been detrimental to soldiers’ brains but society as well. Today, I wish to shed some light on a recent announcement from OSHA that mandates ALL of their construction inspectors begin using Safety Helmets vs hard hats on job sites. As noted previously in this blog, according to the CDC (2016), from 2003-10, TBIs (traumatic brain injuries) made up nearly 25% of all construction fatalities…the most of ANY category! Let’s hope that by OSHA modeling this evidenced-based behavior others across the industry will soon follow. I personally thank the likes of Alberici, McCarthy, Milwaukee Tool, and ASCC for taking the lead on this key safety matter! Change always seems to bring about pushback…due to fear of the unknown. Over time, the industry has and will adapt not unlike it did for drug testing, safety glasses, safety vests, etc. As a retired Carpenter, speaking from experience, I wish hearing protection was mandatory and enforced +40 years ago.

Sources: https://blog.bluebeam.com/safety-helmets-hard-hats-construction/

https://www.safetyandhealthmagazine.com/articles/24824-osha-staff-switch-to-safety-helmets-from-hard-hats

https://www.osha.gov/news/newsreleases/trade/12112023

US Homelessness hits New Record

Rise in Homelessness for Vets

MH services lacking in MO jails (1)

MH services in MO jails lacking (2)

Harry’s & Men’s MH

Seniors / Pickleball / MH

Book Bans / Librarians / MH

NYC / Teens / School ban on Cell Phones

NYC / Teens / Free MH app

How Ketamine alters the brain

UMSL / Addiction Team / Opioid Epidemic

Is NARCAN the new CPR?

Children / Fentanyl / Exposure Deaths

ODs in School

A mother’s journey to save her child

Safe disposal of unused medications

Opioids & Suicide

Opioid OD Victims’ 2^nd trauma: Being cheated out of lawsuit settlements

Older Men & Suicide

Living longer & Alzheimers

Postpartum Depression Treatment

On Giving & Care for Others

On Loss & Holidays

Is life expectancy increasing?

DANGER: Children & Melatonin

War Vets & Sexuality

Having a Mental Block?

Bragging about your career

Adults & Spirituality

Unions BIG wins in 2023

US steel & Back Pay in IL

Labor / Apple / India

Megafactories / Workers / Recruiting

AI & Energy Consumption

Educators go door-to-door

Gen Z & Trust in the Workplace

KC Builders Assoc New President

Wellness & Well-being Highlights December 11

Wellness & Well-being Highlights

for the

Week of December 11, 2023

This week’s edition of our Worker Wellness & Well-being blog consists of topics concerning how suicide deaths increased in 2022—especially when it comes to elderly men—to the matter of the Sacklers bankruptcy move to protect their personal assets now landing before the US Supreme Court to how a small medical trial shows some promise for people who suffered traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) by means of an implanted electronic stimulation device. Today, I wish to shed some light on the topic of PISA test scores. Earlier this week, the OECD (Organization for Economic Cooperation & Development) released the findings from the Program for International Student Assessment in 2022. In general, this is a test that samples 15-year-olds’ subject matter knowledge (reading, science, and math) in nearly 40 counties across the globe. The OECD last tested students in 2018. Needless to say, COVID-19 is suspected to have played a large role in the decline in learning among most countries’ students with the exception of Canada, Estonia, and Japan (all of which saw improvement in each subject area). More specifically, while US students held their own when it came to reading and science their math scores decreased by 13 points (20 points is considered to be equivalent to a year’s worth of learning)…ranking the US 28^th out of 37. So, why is this topic important to us as an industry, community, or nation? Because experts suggest that math nurtures critical thinking and problem-solving skills…essential for children’s mental development. In essence, decreases in our students’ math scores may not only put our nation at a competitive technological disadvantage but can also result in overwhelming implications for mental health. If the pandemic has taught us a few lessons, one is that those in the workforce development space can no longer afford to silo hard skills and soft skills!

Sources: https://www.oecd-ilibrary.org/education/pisa-2022-results-volume-i_53f23881-en

https://www.oecd-ilibrary.org/education/pisa-2022-results-volume-ii_a97db61c-en

Children / War / Trauma

MH during the Holidays

2022: Record for Suicide Deaths

Guns & Suicide

Elderly Men & Suicide

MH / Pilots / License

Scotland & MH

Opioid Epidemic / Treatment / Racial Disparity

US Senate & Opioid Legislation

Addiction & Cinema

US Treasury on Fentanyl & Mexico-China

US Treasury on Fentanyl & Mexico

Sacklers / Bankruptcy / US Supreme Court (1)

Sacklers / Bankruptcy / US Supreme Court (2)

Sacklers / Bankruptcy / US Supreme Court (3)

Sacklers / Bankruptcy / US Supreme Court (4)

Sacklers / Bankruptcy / US Supreme Court (5)

Fentanyl / AI / Border Patrol

Are states striving to distribute Narcan?

ATL bars & Narcan

Canada & Narcan

Wellness & Well-being Highlights December 4

Wellness & Well-being Highlights

for the

Week of December 4, 2023

This week’s edition of our Worker Wellness & Well-being blog consists of topics concerning how people can learn to grow after experiencing trauma (PTG) to the important roles that women play in the workforce to how AI (artificial intelligence) can serve both good and evil in our society. Today, I wish to shed some light on the topic of child labor. Have you ever considered to how our love for sweets—specifically chocolate—might fuel the child labor “industry” in developing countries? Sadly, one does not need to look overseas to find politicians and companies fueling this desire to exploit children…all in the name of cheap labor. Recently, the state of Florida placed into consideration the lowering of the legal age one can be to work on a construction job site. This is a flagrant violation of the federal rules under the FLSA (Fair Labor Standards Act) which prohibits 16-year-olds from performing tasks deemed too dangerous…like ROOFING. If one looks closer at the FL proposal (SB460), it does not take too much to uncover the bait-and-switch at hand. Wrapping this legislation in the need to address a worker shortage is nothing short of duplicity…furthermore, it comes at a very high price. One that Frances Perkins confronted over 100 years ago!* To suggest that minors with OSHA 10 certifications perform commercial and residential roofing work, as long as a worker who is 21 or older with two years of experience and the same certification supervises undermines both US-DOL safety and apprenticeship protocols long-established across the USA. Case in point, it takes a skilled roofer ~4 years to complete a registered apprenticeship program. Last I checked, current US child labor laws only allow for exceptions when someone under the age of 18—working in/around dangerous settings—be under CONSTANT supervision of a SKILLED tradesperson. So, once again, I ask: When will those who are trusted with the care of our future STOP putting profits over people?

Sources: www.cbsnews.com/amp/news/children-harvesting-cocoa-used-by-major-corporations-ghana/

www.constructiondive.com/news/florida-bill-minors-roofing-work/700823/

*https://www.osha.gov/aboutosha/40-years/trianglefactoryfire

https://rooferslocal2.com/apprenticeship.aspx

A Mom’s War Against Opioids

Combatting opioid ODs w/ Narcan

Pushing to mandate Narcan on US commercial flights

URGENT: We need YOUR voice!

MH / Hair Salons / Africa

MH & Lost Working Days

PTG: Finding Joy after Tragedy

Helping parents prevent childhood trauma