Works Initiative News | Worker Wellness & Career Opportunities

Wellness & Well-being Highlights August 12

Wellness & Well-being Highlights

for the

Week of August 12, 2024

This week’s edition of our Worker Wellness & Well-being blog offers construction firms an opportunity to consider how crisis management plays a role in attracting and retaining employees—to how recent research on ecstasy was manipulated with regards to suicidal ideation—to why First Responders across the USA are expressing their concerns about Congress’ moves to ban (better performing) Chinese drones. This week I would like to take this opportunity to take a closer look at the unchecked power of health insurance firms. This past week, the WSJ ran an article regarding how claims for mental health leave were disallowed more than those for physical health leave.

For those of you who have attended my one or more of my wellness trainings, my apologies for plowing old ground. On many occasions, I have expressed my distain for COVID…after all, COVID took the lives of five people I knew and dearly loved. However, I aways qualify this statement with what I found to be positive as a result of this devastating pandemic. First and foremost, as I may have noted in this blog months ago, in an odd way, COVID was good for Mental Health. Why/how? Few of us, if any, can honestly say that in no way, shape, or form was our MH impacted by COVID. I firmly believe that COVID placed MH squarely on each of our dinner tables. Thus, making it safer (or least more normal) to talk about a once highly taboo topic…internally or externally! My heart goes out to those of you who had to balance getting up to speed on K-12 online learning while ensuring their elderly parents/grandparents could stay virtually connected in order to avoid the potential distress of isolation. Meanwhile, those of us who had health insurance plans that provided mental health benefits (in addition to physical health benefits) were soon to find out that a law known as Mental Health Parity would nudge the healthcare industry to pivot beyond the delivery of virtual doctor visits. In essence, COVID & Parity forced the HC industry into creating secure platforms for people to receive mental health care online.

As we move into a “post-COVID” era, MH remains a battleground for insurance firms, employers, and employees. Too often, people are “judged” by their looks while others apply personal experiences to unrelated situations: 1) If one cannot see a “physical” harm then the person in question must be OK (We can see a broken arm in a cast and know it takes about 6-8 weeks to heal. Have you heard the phrase: Invisible wounds of war?); 2) It is difficult to apply a finite set of rules to a person’s MH issues since NONE of us were exposed to the exact same environments growing up (Why does one Vet die by suicide as a result of multiple head injuries (via IED blasts) vs another servicemember from the same unit/patrol?). Sadly, these misguided attitudes are still utilized by the companies/managers calling the shots and continue to negatively impact people with various forms of mental illness (often more than one: i.e., SUD and PTSD)…who rightfully deserve assistance. Let’s not confuse the issues surrounding objective vs subjective measures with the need to protect one another!

Source: https://www.wsj.com/business/the-battle-over-disability-pay-and-mental-health-leave-03c09867?st=qb9xv1ulpprvu3c&reflink=article_gmail_share

Extreme Heat / Climate Change / Worker’s Death

Big Fines: Unprotected trenches

Construction Falls Increased 50%

Construction Suicides & Crisis Management

Working for 988

MH improves for teens

MH: Girls still struggling

Schools / MH / Meditation

Fentanyl & Trade

Fentanyl & Misinformation

Ecstasy & Botched Research

Re-examining Drunk Driving’s BAC Limit

Discrimination: Disability pay for MH Leave?

How Child Abuse Impacted One Adult

DREAMS: Test your knowledge

Ultrasound & Brain Diseases

Acupuncture & Depression?

Diabetes Drugs & Addiction?

Sweetener & Blood Clots?

COVID’s Summer Surge

Proper Dental Care

Pets & Reducing Anxiety?

Intoxication via Water

Athletes / Pressure / Yips

Update: NFL & Guardian Helmets

More on Bangladesh’s Garment Factories

First Responders / Congress / Chinese Drones

STL State of the Workforce Report (2024)

Addressing skilled labor demands

CEO Pay Watch

Politics in the Workplace?

Upcoming webinars, etc.:

Preventing Suicides in the Construction Industry

OSHA: Supporting Employee MH (Aug 26)

COMET Training (Aug 27)

Psychological Impact of Euthanasia (Aug 28)

International Overdose Awareness Day (Aug 31)

Ag Health & Safety Week (Sept 16-20)

Fatal Injury Trends in Construction

NOTE: The links provided above are for informational purposes only. None of these serve as a substitute for medical advice one should obtain from his/her own primary care physician and/or mental health professional. Please contact johngaal@moaflcio.org with related questions or comments.

August 12, 2024/by Dr. John Gaal

Worker Wellness News

Wellness & Well-being Highlights August 5

Wellness & Well-being Highlights

for the

Week of August 5, 2024

This week’s edition of our Worker Wellness & Well-being blog offers you a look at how law enforcement struggles with impaired drivers as more states legalize marijuana—to how Vets w/ PTSD are pushing for recognition of psychedelics as effective treatment—to how human trafficking is linked to online scamming operations overseas. This week I would like to take this opportunity to take a closer look at a few of the key findings in the 2024 State of Mental Health America Report.[1] As follows:

Nearly 60m adults in the US experienced mental illness in 2021-22
5% of the population reported serious thoughts of suicide
20% of youth had a major depressive episode of which >50% did NOT receive treatment
18% of adults has a substance use disorder of which 77% of them did NOT receive treatment
10% of adults with mental illness are uninsured
In the US, there are 340 people for every 1 mental health provider.

While this report does a good job of discussing findings since the end of COVID, it is important to take a look at many of the story links provided herein this week. Why? Because it will quickly become clear as to why mental health issues in the US continue to negatively impact the findings in the aforementioned report. From cyber-thieves scamming retirees to youth buying illegal drugs online, technology has seeped into nearly every aspect of our lives. While technology was said to make our lives better, in too many instances, it has been a curse. Hardly a week goes by where we do not hear about another breach of a bank/credit card concerning our personal data or a community’s power system is shutdown. Even when Congress steps in to implement industry guardrails, it seems like IT lobbyists’ voices matter more than the people’s!

Thus, I encourage you to investigate some of the links under the Upcoming Webinars section of this blog. One can find an array of resources from free food/diapers to info on youth vaping to a series video shorts on youth mental health issues.[2] With a new school year beginning in a few weeks, please share these links as you see fit.

Sources: [1] https://mhanational.org/issues/state-mental-health-america?eType=EmailBlastContent&eId=920d152f-693e-4510-9953-932adc572de4

[2] https://vimeo.com/user/20888066/folder/18291148?mkt_tok=MTMxLUFRTy0yMjUAAAGUZvBuGR1kHKE8u4RNzfPwnw1T3qeudEi35CRu8GWf9uHfqWEHDsHQXc9SH9NtK4RRKMfbauHy_jkKk6mZ6G1gkRWYvmmwUzc9Pz29juOe82eqvZ1y&isPrivate=false

Telehealth for MH on decline since end of COVID

MH in MS

Billing for 988?

Cost of Suicide & Promise of Prevention

Suicide: Triumph from Tragedy

Tests for driving high?

Impact of Meth

Opioids & NM

MDMA / FDA / Vets

Shingles Vax & Dementia?

Exercises & Mood

IMPATIENCE: The Modern Curse

Youth & Cancer?

Kids Online Safety Act

US Senate / Online / Teen Safety

META: Selling illegal drugs online

Wellness & Well-being Highlights July 29

Wellness & Well-being Highlights

for the

Week of July 29, 2024

This week’s edition of our Worker Wellness & Well-being blog offers you a look at how a high-ranking Mexican drug kingpin (think Fentanyl) duped another into being arrested in the USA—to the importance of pool safety (drowning is the #1 killer of children between 1-4 yo)—to how a lab at Virginia Tech is applying its focus on studying football helmet safety to the role safety helmets now play in the construction industry. This week I would like to take this opportunity to take a closer look at this year’s presidential election. By now, most of us know that President Joe Biden removed himself as a candidate this November and soon thereafter went on to support VP Kamala Harris. Since then, a lot has been said from both sides of the political spectrum. However, nothing more important than the unsubstantiated/immature comments coming from her political opponent and his running mate. This blog is not about voicing political viewpoints it is about wellness and well-being. However, when it comes to vying for the most important position in this country (and possibly the world), isn’t about time we focus on the issues vs name-calling? After all, are we in 3^rd grade (my apologies to 3^rd graders)? We as a nation should demand better. In my opinion, supporting candidates who wish to LEAD this nation when they use demeaning language against their opponent—like “bum” and “childless cat ladies”—is a means of harassment (as in Hostile Environment) that negatively impacts our society’s well-being.[1]

Which brings me back to an issue I reported on a few weeks ago…US Supreme Court ethics. Yes, it sounds like an oxymoron. In what world do we allow people to police themselves and expect transparency? [2] These are NOT merely common people amongst us but rather the those who have LIFETIME appointments to the highest court in this country!!! And, are making judgement calls that impact our daily lives. Whether you are for or against serious issues like abortion, climate change, and workers’ rights, this court has recently made decisions that are sure to effect the world around you. Most importantly there is the issue of conflict of interest…At least one of those on this bench who is passing judgement has accepted (substantial) gifts from his longtime (political) supporter and, until recently, failed to report such transactions. Meanwhile, he was the leading influencer on matters that recently threatened the future of unions.[3] So, as I said last week, with this being an ELECTION year, one must weigh the importance of the CHOICES before us. How will YOUR vote this November impact the future for your kids and grandkids?

Sources: [1] https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/other/vance-responds-to-childless-cat-ladies-backlash-claims-democrats-are-anti-family/ar-BB1qHmV6?ocid=BingNewsSerp

[2] https://www.wsj.com/us-news/law/justice-elena-kagan-calls-for-enforceable-supreme-court-ethics-rules-e750ae7d?st=7rff5uzq93lhv6y&reflink=article_gmail_share

[3] https://www.reuters.com/legal/us-supreme-court-backs-starbucks-over-fired-pro-union-workers-2024-06-13/

US arrests Mexican Cartel’s Leaders (1)

US arrests Mexican Cartel’s Leaders (2)

US arrests Mexican Cartel’s Leaders (3)

OUD Harm Reduction on Wheels

CA Homeless Clear-out (1)

CA Homeless Clear-out (2)

Phoenix / Homeless / Rehydration IVs

“Coping” w/ Grief

What NOT to say

College / Stress / Elections

Summer COVID & Elderly

Retirement & HC Costs

HC affordability & access

Baby Boomers & Financial Peril

Finances & Wellness

Wellness & Well-being Highlights July 22

Wellness & Well-being Highlights

for the

Week of July 22, 2024

This week’s edition of our Worker Wellness & Well-being blog offers you a look at the metrics of the “988” system on its 2^nd anniversary—to the turmoil caused by the Teamsters’ president appearing on stage at the RNC—to the push to designate families of military vets who died by suicide as Gold Star. This week I would like to take this opportunity to take a closer look at our first story on preventing trench cave-ins. PLEASE take the time to at least listen to the NPR piece below. For too long, repeat offenders have been truly getting away with murder. OSHA only has so many inspectors to patrol the millions of job sites across this nation. That is why it is so important for EACH of us to make safety a vital part of our industry and daily operations. ALL of us must become informed of the various dangers on the sites—we tend to take for granted—and how to mitigate them. This is not merely a plea for ramping up personal safety (physical) but for the greater good of the communities we work and live in. After all, when a trench collapses and kills 1 or 2 workers, people beyond those who have died are negatively impacted (mental) for years to come.

With this being an ELECTION year, one must weigh the importance of the CHOICES before us. How will YOUR vote impact the outcome? It is said that nearly 40% of union members in the 2020 election voted for politicians who had an appetite for further diminishing the effectiveness of Federal Agencies such as OSHA…all in the name of “progress” in a so-called “free market” economy. In 2022, 40 workers died in trenches across the USA. Trust me, if that number seems too small for you to care about…it will not the day after your son or daughter becomes one of these victims. I cannot imagine how much greater that number will be if/when OSHA’s oversight is further diminished. As a person who started his journey in the construction industry nearly 50 years ago, I often reflect on the safety measures implemented back then (that at the time made little to no sense to me) and how they preserved aspects of my health today: Case in point, hearing protection. There is more than a good chance that had a worn it more consistently years ago, I would not now be wearing hearing aids. As the old saying goes: ACTIONS have CONSEQUENCES! This means on the job site as well as in the voting booth.

Source: https://www.npr.org/2024/07/20/g-s1-9028/osha-construction-safety-trench-collapse

Preventable trench caves-ins

988 @ 2 (1)

988 @ 2 (2)

Key to MH in workplace

MH & 2024 election cycle

Addressing Social Anxiety

Racism & Psychosis

Getting back on track

A 3^rd thumb?

Wellness & Well-being Highlights July 15

Wellness & Well-being Highlights

for the

Week of July 15, 2024

This week’s edition of our Worker Wellness & Well-being blog offers you a look at how and why some teachers in South Korea are taking their lives—to why the FTC (Federal Trade Commission) thinks that PBMs (Pharmacy Benefit Managers) actually raise (not lower) costs—to how labor may be impacted by AI (artificial intelligence).[1] This week I would like to take this opportunity to encourage readers to closely examine the last section of this blog: Upcoming webinars, etc. There are a number of FREE virtual and in-person trainings.[2] However, in my opinion, the next two parts are equally important.

The IFEBP (International Foundation of Employee Benefit Plans) is seeking your input on their Mental Health and Substance Use Disorder survey.[3] The IFEBP has been around for decades with nearly 30k members across the USA and Canada who represent a variety of jointly trusted labor-management funds (i.e., pension, health and welfare, training). Your insights will assist them in in designing and implementing educational programs which assist in ensuring union members and their families are properly represented.

Finally, if you live in or near the STL region, please check out the St. Louis Area Foodbank’s website. It offers a schedule where people in need of food assistance can obtain FREE food. With summer heating up and prices on the rise, some people are making tough choices of whether to pay a utility bill or put food on their table. Please share this information with leaders in your community.

Sources: [1] Labor & AI

[2] QPR Suicide Prevention Training

Suicide Prevention Seminar

Women & Well-being

[3] Mental Health Survey

[4] FREE Food Distribution

Philly Run Club & Recovery

The 4^th Wave: Meth & Coke (Opioid Epidemic)

NA Beverages & Age Limit?

SK / Teachers / Suicide

V Murthy & MH

Work friends & Loneliness

Purdue Pharma / Sacklers / Creditors

Canada / Access / Athletic Therapy

Wellness & Well-being Highlights July 8

Wellness & Well-being Highlights

for the

Week of July 8, 2024

This week’s edition of our Worker Wellness & Well-being blog offers you a look at how a popular “Happiness” professor deals with her mental health—to a current rise in COVID plus views of its after effects—to smattering of US Supreme Court rulings…from “immunity” to OSHA. This week I would like to take this opportunity for you to participate in 2 quizzes: one on ACES (childhood trauma) and the other to see if you handle our kids’ Math. Far too often, some of us tend to pass judgement on issues we are somewhat “removed” from. A few of you may remember me touching on the topic of ACES (Adverse Childhood Experiences) many months ago. Just maybe, if WE took the time to grasp a better handle on how “early” trauma impacts one’s future—as an adult—WE might create some empathy towards others in the workplace and community. The book that changed my mindset on this matter a couple of years ago is “The Body Keeps the Score” by Dr. B. Van Der Kolk. A book that was published in 2014 and yet still appears—for weeks at a time—on the NYT Bestsellers list. ACES have been linked to mental health, toxic stress, and negative coping mechanisms. To be sure, WE cannot ignore one’s upbringing…it is part of one’s DNA. To expect people to “leave issues at the door” is akin to asking a tiger to change its stripes. Bluntly put, how you or I view a situation and/or solve problems is directly linked to who/what we are and how we react. PLEASE take the quiz linked below as the first step in this journey.[1]

Finally, last week a number of reports indicated that our nation’s K-8 students’ test scores have not recovered after COVID…as was hoped for. I think it would behoove all of us to take a step back and dig deeper into this critical matter…our nation’s future! Without a doubt, math (and reading) has been linked to one’s success in life. While school districts across the nation have invested in recovering from learning loss related to the pandemic still more needs to be done. So, once again, empathy plays a major role in our ability to understand what others—often beyond our inner circle—are facing. Therefore, I kindly request that you test your math skills via the related link below.[2] And, join me in opening OUR minds and hearts. Thank you!

Sources: [1] https://www.pathfinder.health/post/ace-quiz

[2] https://www.washingtonpost.com/education/interactive/2024/dc-school-math-quiz/?pwapi_token=eyJ0eXAiOiJKV1QiLCJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJyZWFzb24iOiJnaWZ0IiwibmJmIjoxNzE5ODA2NDAwLCJpc3MiOiJzdWJzY3JpcHRpb25zIiwiZXhwIjoxNzIxMTg4Nzk5LCJpYXQiOjE3MTk4MDY0MDAsImp0aSI6Ijk5MTM2ZGE3LTgwOGYtNDIwZi1hMGY2LTc0Yjk2N2FlOGIzOCIsInVybCI6Imh0dHBzOi8vd3d3Lndhc2hpbmd0b25wb3N0LmNvbS9lZHVjYXRpb24vaW50ZXJhY3RpdmUvMjAyNC9kYy1zY2hvb2wtbWF0aC1xdWl6LyJ9.eZCBL9bOBVI__woP7kKR8kHB5awnszHFqksrBbgQJNw&itid=gfta

Childhood Trauma & The ACES Quiz

How Happiness works?

Rethinking a spouse’s Suicide

High functioning Depression

Protecting workers from HEAT

Wellness & Well-being Highlights July 1

Wellness & Well-being Highlights

for the

Week of July 1, 2024

This week’s edition of our Worker Wellness & Well-being blog offers so much to write about but too little time and space. Here’s my best shot: There was the US Surgeon General’s announcement to elevate our nation’s GUN VIOLENCE as a threat to Public Health—to how a prominent Catholic Church in the west STL county area placed a notice in their weekly bulletin in an attempt to recruit young men for a militia—to how many hospital closings/mergers are not reducing costs as promised. This week I would like to touch on the recent US Supreme Court ruling regarding the Sacklers’ opioids settlement.¹ Many of my blogs over the past 3 years have touched on the negative impact of the US opioids epidemic and how the rich truly got away with murder. No doubt that this ruling will help some while hurting others. Several states and communities have been waiting for the millions of dollars resulting from the proposed settlement to assist them with funding localized prevention, intervention, and postvention programs with sights set on stemming the tide of this scourge. Furthermore, families who have lost members will no longer receive payments tied to their losses.

The greater good of this recent ruling may be difficult for some to understand. After all, in my opinion, it was more about setting a precedent concerning the misuse of our bankruptcy laws going forward than making victims and/or communities whole (I would argue that anyone’s loved one’s life is worth more than $3500 – $48000). To allow a family of billionaires total immunity from future related law suits was a bridge too far for the majority of our Justices. Although the lower court may have agreed that something was better than nothing in moving our nation forward, the supreme court in this land felt otherwise. They did so, having more time to contemplate the ramifications of the settlement on the table. To be sure, it is easy to play armchair quarterback…consider this: A family enriches themselves (via deceitful marketing, etc.) to the tune of $11b since the early 1990s (and moves the bulk of those gains to offshore banks) while over 220 people/day² were dying from opioid overdoses in 2022…but this family is only required to pay $6b for the offense plus walks away from ANY future damages related to their nefarious actions. While I am not a big fan of this far right-leaning court, as for now, I believe they did the right thing!

Sources: [1] https://www.nytimes.com/2024/06/27/us/supreme-court-opioid-settlement.html?unlocked_article_code=1.3E0.IXFb.Pp0XhjtA0d-n&smid=nytcore-ios-share&referringSource=articleShare

[2] https://usafacts.org/articles/opioid-addiction-deaths-and-treatment-latest-analysis-data/

Supreme Court on the Homeless

Construction’s Alarming Rate: Suicide

US Surgeon General & Firearm Deaths (1)

US Surgeon General & Firearm Deaths (2)

US Surgeon General & Firearm Deaths (3)

Firearm Violence: Advisory Report

Stats on Gun Shootings

Is Gun Violence a Public Health Crisis?

UN & Nitazenes

Buffalo & Recent OD Deaths

Your PCP & Addiction Treatment

Supreme Court & Opioids Settlement (1)

Supreme Court & Opioids Settlement (2)

Supreme Court & Opioids Settlement (3)

Supreme Court & Opioids Settlement (4)

MO / Rehab / Children & Fentanyl

Working w/ Your Hands & MH

Drs / Saving Mothers / Abortion

Women vs Men: Incarceration

Forever Chemicals & Skin

Healing Crystals & Ethics

Drs / Apple Watch / Personal Metrics

Wellness & Well-being Highlights June 24

Wellness & Well-being Highlights

for the

Week of June 24, 2024

This week’s edition of our Worker Wellness & Well-being blog highlights how our Military system’s mishandling of recent mental health crises has resulted in more suicides—to how heat impacts your brain and why employers need to take action—to the US Surgeon General’s call for placing WARNING labels on social media in an attempt to protect our youngest and most vulnerable citizens…and the pushback to his efforts. This week I would like to discuss the concept of SOCIAL HEALTH. Up to this point in my blog, I have focused on the importance of balancing the PHYSICAL aspects of safety with the MENTAL aspects of safety. This past week, I found an article making the case for moving beyond the above-mentioned binary model. As such, the author, Kasley Killam, posits that while physical health deals with one’s body and mental health is about one’s mind…SOCIAL HEALTH focuses on relationships. I have to say that at first glance this seemed like a sub-topic under the mental health umbrella. However, upon reading the entire article, I admit that Killam is on to something…. Since COVID, there has been a lot said about isolation, loneliness, and the importance of connection. As I reflect on writing my doctoral dissertation nearly 20 years ago, I recall a book that positively impacted my work which was certainly ahead of its time by Robert Putnam: Bowling Alone. It is interesting to see how aspects of Putnam’s book have played out in Killam’s work. A couple of Killam’s finding’s that hit home are (a) over the past 20 years the amount of time people spend alone has increased by 24 hours per month and (b) ~20% of adults in the USA do not have anyone to reach out to for help. This lack of connection has negative effects on our nation’s health as it can increase the risks of strokes by 32%, dementia by 50%, and early death by 29%. Some may say: How does this apply to worker wellness? Research shows that worker loneliness costs the US economy over $400b/year in lost productivity. In the end, connection is not only good for the individual but society as well. Why? Because by maintaining old and/or forming new connections we can create opportunities to develop meaningful and innovative approaches to contemporary issues. Here are 3 SOCIAL HEALTH take-aways that may be worth considering going forward:

While not everyone is lonely…We ALL must spend time with family and friends;
Coping is not enough…We ALL need to flourish and we cannot without meaningful relationships; and
Do NOT wait for a crisis—NOW is the time to act…Be proactive in developing and nurturing your relationships.

Source: https://amp.theguardian.com/wellness/article/2024/jun/14/what-is-social-health

EEOC Guidelines / Harassment / Contractors

US Military & Suicides

Employers / Employees / HEAT

HEAT & Your Brain

Wellness & Well-being Highlights June 17

Wellness & Well-being Highlights

for the

Week of June 17, 2024

This week’s edition of our Worker Wellness & Well-being blog highlights to how there may be a link between hair treatment, race, and cancer—to how efforts are being made to protect workers from this summer’s heat—to more evidence that alcohol can be dangerous. This week I would like to discuss culture. It is no secret that many of our union members (including me) own firearms for sporting purposes. To be clear, I have NEVER felt threatened that the “US Government” was coming to take my firearms from me…whether a R or D was in Office. Like most things in life, there are plusses and minuses. Think cellphones: On one hand, they are great for instantaneously communicating with others around the world; on the other hand, as reported in this blog more than once, experts believe there is a link between teens’ negative mental health and being “addicted” to their cellphones. As such guns are no doubt part of our country’s social fabric. I find it interesting that in states like Wyoming, Montana, and Alaska there is a link between guns and suicides. Thankfully, a MT community is addressing this matter. If you go back a few issues in this blog, I promoted a course called CALM (Conversations on the Access to Lethal Means). This course offers a variety of tools we can use to prevent accidental deaths and suicides. Lock boxes for medications, gun locks, and gun safes are just a few of these measures. Which takes us to the second article. Last week, the US Supreme Court struck down a Trump-era ban on bump stocks…these devices essentially convert a semi-automatic gun into an automatic gun. Having an older brother and sister-in-law who were caught in the crossfire in Las Vegas on October 1, 2017 (THE DEADLIEST MASS SHOOTING IN US HISTORY), I must say that this recent decision is one that leans away from common sense. Allowing a person to operate a firearm as an automatic weapon beyond the battlefield seems senseless to most of the people I have talked to on this issue. Having the highest court in the land support such nonsense while ignoring ethical issues in their own house is nothing short of hypocrisy. Sadly, “speaking with a forked tongue” appears to be the soup du jour in today’s culture!

Source: https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2024/06/14/bump-stocks-supreme-court-machine-gun-bruen-cargill/

Canada & Workplace MH

Guns / Suicide / MT

STL / Teens / Drug Treatment?

Outdoor Heat Safety

Criminalizing Tiny Homes?

Hair Relaxers / Cancer / Race?

Racism / Depression / Youth

Sadfishing

Is there a correlation between burnout & inclusion?

Wellness & Well-being Highlights June 10

Wellness & Well-being Highlights

for the

Week of June 10, 2024

This week’s edition of our Worker Wellness & Well-being blog highlights how even in one of the most conservative states (FL), there is a harm reduction program assisting people with SUD/OUD—to how some odd versions of cancer have recently emerged since the end of the pandemic—to empirical evidence revealing how heading the ball in soccer is dangerous. This week I would like to discuss a new and exciting program addressing our youth’s mental health crisis. The Youth Mental Health Corps (YMHC) will train and pay peers stipends. A second-order goal of the program is to develop tomorrow’s social workers, therapists, etc. As AmeriCorps was an outgrowth of the Peace Corps nearly 30 years ago, the YMHC follows in AmeriCorps’ path. A major focus of the initial project is on Latino/a/x youth. Reports suggest that nearly ½ of these youth—18 to 25—do not reach out for help. A big issue is that many Latinos feel the effects of discrimination in our society—especially immigrants—and this impacts their self-worth.

Accordingly, I tip my hat to a long-time friend and colleague, Sal Valdez, as he expressed his joy regarding the above mentioned matter earlier this past week. Rightfully so, since he has been a champion of ALL workers of color for years and currently serves as the ECORN-MO chair. In addition, James Pursell, LEAN-STL, Laborer Peer Specialist, sent me as well. He expressed how awesome this specific youth peer project is and hopes to see it grow. This coming from one-half of a local team that has won numerous awards throughout the STL region over the past year for their dedication to brother and sister members and their families struggling with mental health, substance misuse, and suicidal ideation.

How long will it be before other trades, industrial sectors, and non-profits implement creative solutions like YMHC or LEAN-STL? In closing, I paraphrase my buddy, Brandon Anderson (AGC-MO VP Safety), “When it comes to mental health, the time has come…our region needs less talk and more action.”

Source: https://www.nbcnews.com/news/latino/youth-mental-health-corps-rcna155574

A Youth Corps for MH

Harm Reduction in FL?

Narcan in Soulard

Canada’s New Suicide Prevention Plan

MDMA Therapy &PTSD

Gun violence’s footprint

Race / Death / Maternity

Lung cancer / Treatments / Cure?

COVID & Cancer?