Works Initiative News | Worker Wellness & Career Opportunities

Wellness & Well-being Highlights September 18

Wellness & Well-being Highlights

for the

Week of September 18, 2023

This week’s edition of our Worker Wellness & Well-being blog consists of topics on how a young lady’s suicide attempt has changed the lives of people far and near to how Native Americans seeking treatment for substance use disorders are being deceived by service providers to how organized shoplifters are placing retail workers’ lives in peril. Today, I wish to shed some light on how each one of us can play an important role in reducing suicides in this nation by limiting the access to lethal means. US stats indicate that over 50% of recent suicides involved firearms. While a closer look at the veteran community reveals that more than 70% of suicide deaths are gun-related. Putting time and distance between your loved one and his/her firearm is essential. This can take the form of temporary offsite storage or the use of gun safes and/or gun locks. In closing I have 3 asks: 1) Make a safety plan now with your loved ones who have access to lethal means (i.e., firearms, medications, poison, etc.) in their living space; 2) Contact your local VA…they often supply free gun locks; and 3) Take the CALM training course linked below.

Sources: https://www.cbsnews.com/amp/news/veteran-gun-shop-stored-firearms-started-saving-lives/

https://zerosuicidetraining.edc.org/enrol/index.php?id=20

LiUNA & Mental Health (10:40 mark)

Talent / MH / Benefits

Emma’s Ascension

Vet stores firearms for others

Suicide Prevention: Reframing gun control

The 4^th Wave: Polysubstances & Fentanyl

Fentanyl & Black Men

Sober homes & Fraud

Kroger’s Opioids Settlement

Cocaine production on the rise

Winter foods & Depression

On helping depression

Loneliness & Friendships

Weight loss & Laxative shortage

Adding psyllium?

Unions / Workers / Supply & Demand

Construction labor shortage

A look at the UAW picket line

CA restaurant union’s new deal

Marvel’s artists unionize

Legal History of Slaves in America?

Shoplifting & Worker Safety

AI & Workplace stress

Is AI good for Green?

The 85% rule

Baby-boomers & Homelessness

Wellness & Well-being Highlights September 11

Wellness & Well-being Highlights

for the

Week of September 11, 2023

This week’s edition of our Worker Wellness & Well-being blog consists of topics on how death rates for people under 40 have increased to how women will play a critical part in the infrastructure bill’s success to how AI (artificial intelligence) might impact the future of education, work, and society. Today, I wish to shed some light on the fact that this month is National Suicide Prevention (SP) Month.

PLEASE let us keep in mind the following significant designations:

Sept 4-8: SP Week for the US construction industry;
Sept 10: Worldwide SP Day; and
Sept 11-14 National SP Week.

As many of you may know, this topic is near and dear to my family. In March 2017, we lost my oldest son, John Jr, to suicide. (It is suspected that repetitive head impacts—including no less than four concussions—from high school football and soccer played a part in his demise.) Upon John’s death, the Concussion Legacy Foundation research team at Boston University identified that my son suffered from Stage 1 CTE (chronic traumatic encephalopathy). As noted in the CTE article linked below, Dr. Ann McKee has been a pioneer on this topic…taking on the likes of the NFL, NHL, etc. has been no easy task! (Disclaimer: John Jr’s findings were included in her recent research on CTE & youth athletes.)

The CDC (Centers for Disease Control & Prevention) has identified the construction sector as #2 when it comes to deaths by suicide. It also found in a study covering 2003-10, that more than 2200 construction workers died from TBIs (traumatic brain injuries)…representing 25% of ALL construction fatalities. While Dr McKee and her team work on moving the correlational link of CTE and suicide to a causal link, there is work we can do as an industry to prevent suicide. Please see the first 4 of 5 links at the end of this week’s blog for more info on what YOU can do NOW to help.

THANK YOU!

Sources: https://www.nationalgeographic.com/premium/article/woman-discovered-cte-disease-athlete-brain

https://www.cdc.gov/suicide/facts/disparities-in-suicide.html

https://blogs.cdc.gov/niosh-science-blog/2016/03/21/constructiontbi/#:~:text=From%202003%20to%202010%2C%202%2C210,fatalities%20during%20the%20same%20period

https://www.cpwr.com/news-and-events/informational-webinar-series/

Fight against Fentanyl

Death rates / Under 40 / Fentanyl

Marijuana: Pros & Cons

MH / Schools / Cabinet

Bipolar’s effects: Women v Men

Foods & Reducing Anxiety/Depression

Memory & Dementia

Hoarding & Aging

Social Isolation / Cognitive Decline / Aging

Wellness & Sleep Schedule

Weight Loss After 50

Menopause Retreat

On Handling Conflict

TX / Heat / Water Breaks

Possible ULP: Heading South?

Labor / Detroit / Big Disruption

Creating an Equal WF

Infrastructure / Women / Help Wanted

Degreed Apprenticeships?

Spain / Women Soccer / Wage Dispute

Turkey / Women Vball / Social Divide

Construction / Women / Harassment

Special Forces / Women / Sexism

Fempreneurs & Coaching

New Nursing Home Standards?

Shortage of HC Workers

AI & Learning

AI: Employers & Employees

AI / Change / Jobs

STL Vet Village opening soon

Wellness & Well-being Highlights September 4

Wellness & Well-being Highlights

for the

Week of September 4, 2023

This week’s edition of our Worker Wellness & Well-being blog consists of topics on a resurgence of miners’ Black Lung to how COVID may now be making a comeback to how a new study revealed that young, amateur athletes are posthumously being diagnosed with CTE (chronic traumatic encephalopathy). Today, I wish to shed some light on how you can help confront this nation’s opioid epidemic. NOTE: This coming week, Narcan will be available as an OTC (over-the-counter) drug in most pharmacies for about $45 per 2-pack. As noted below, a local library district is now providing free Narcan to the public. This is known as a harm reduction strategy. The fact is that you cannot save a dead person but you can help save one who is experiencing an opioid overdose. How? Know the signs, get trained (this takes less than 30 minutes), obtain doses of the free Narcan now available, and be prepared to act when necessary. The vast majority of us know someone close who either has OUD (opioid use disorder) or has died from an opioids overdose. Make no mistake, OUD is considered a disease…no different than diabetes or hypertension. Now is the time to act! Please insist that your workplace, place of worship, sport venue, etc. carry Narcan next to its First Aid kit and AED.

Sources: https://www.kmov.com/2023/08/30/st-louis-county-announce-partnership-with-libraries-effort-fight-opioid-epidemic/?outputType=amp

https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2023/03/29/health/narcan-reverse-overdose.html?smid=nytcore-ios-share&referringSource=articleShare

MH / Stigma / Construction

Wellness & Well-being Highlights August 28

Wellness & Well-being Highlights

for the

Week of August 28, 2023

This week’s edition of our Worker Wellness & Well-being blog consists of topics on how some communities are handling 911 calls with Mental Health experts vs Police to why HR professionals should prioritize Mental Health issues to how and why a construction union in KC, MO is calling on local, state, and federal officials to improve and ensure worker safety on the job site. Today, I wish to shed some light on a newly published study that indicated child gun deaths in the US have hit a record high. In 2021, nearly 4800 kids died by gunfire…of which nearly two-thirds were Black children while white children made up almost 80% of gun-assisted suicides. I, like many of you, am a gun owner. However, upon reflection, I cannot support the NRA’s rhetoric concerning 2^nd Amendment Rights at the expense of our kids’ futures. Yet, here we are at the dawn of another election year, publicly debating the value of one’s rights vs a child’s life…while Rome is burning!

Source: https://www.reuters.com/world/us/number-us-children-killed-by-guns-hit-record-high-2021-study-2023-08-22/

Kids killed by guns hit record number

AZ / 911 employees / MH

Police / 911 Calls / MH

Highest OD deaths in construction

Politician/Vet calls out opioids profiteers

Vets / MH / PTSD / App

Spending on pharma & MH to rise

MH @ Work Poll

Workplace Safety

Tonic Immobility: On the Trauma of Rape & Freezing

On Black Americans & Depression

On Spirituality & Despair

Anxiety & Supplements?

MDMA: Pros & Cons

On Transgender Inclusion

Stretches & Stress Relief

MLK’s Dream Revisited

Finding Meaning: Wheelchair Football

UK Nurse & Infant Deaths

Update: Teamsters & UPS Contract Vote

FedEx Pilots Concerned

AZ / Chip Mfg / Foreign Labor Issues

Tipping: The New Battleground

Minimum Wage In Hot Markets

Wages: The Bidding War is Over?

Mallinckrodt Hides Behind Bankruptcy to Avoid Settlement Payments

The End of ESG Investing?

Is AI Coming After White-collar Jobs?

Laborers Speak Out In KC After Needless Jobsite Death

Fed Warns About Construction Worker Fraud

College Students & Construction Careers

Cobalt / Batteries / Child Labor

Missouri Apprentice Ready Program 2023 Annual Report

The Missouri Works Initiative was founded on the belief that all Missourians deserve the opportunity to learn skills that will lead to gainful employment, self-sufficiency, dignity, and respect. Many underserved members of our communities face obstacles to family- supporting employment.

Please use the arrows at the top of the PDF to read our 2023 Annual Report!

23.MWI.0645.MissouriWorksAnnualReport.toPP

August 23, 2023/by Braxton Payne

Worker Wellness News

Wellness & Well-being Highlights August 21

Wellness & Well-being Highlights

for the

Week of August 21, 2023

This week’s edition of our Worker Wellness & Well-being blog consists of topics from Tik-Tok brain to how Canada is addressing its worker shortage by supporting older workers to how some parents in Missouri may now be put in jail for their children’s truancy. Today, I wish to shed some light on the new movement of holding 3^rd grades back who fail standardized reading tests. Experts suggest that students who cannot read at grade level by 4^th grade are more likely to face incarceration. As such, I do not support the concept of social promotion. However, I also do not support politicians who short-change school funding via tax incentives to big businesses (i.e., Walmart, etc.). As someone who devoted nearly his entire career to workforce development, I find it very disturbing when politicians hide behind employers under the guise of “employers demanding a better educated workforce”. Meanwhile, many of these same squeaky-wheel employers are funneling campaign funds to those very politicians for future favors. It never ceases to amaze me how the people in “control” fail to see that these backroom deals can contribute to a community’s race to the bottom. I often shake my head when reading stories like the WSJ article linked below knowing that those parties complaining are at the root of the bigger problem. Yet, society’s solution is to punish our struggling kids…because of the shortcomings of unethical adults!

Source: https://www.wsj.com/us-news/education/more-states-threaten-to-hold-back-third-graders-who-cant-read-19f9765

Parents / College Students / Legal Docs

Students & Adderall shortage

Kids & Tik-Tok Brain

Kids / Summer Camp / MH

Winning w/ Honor

Sober living in Milwaukee

Wellness & Well-being Highlights August 14

Wellness & Well-being Highlights

for the

Week of August 14, 2023

This week’s edition of our Worker Wellness & Well-being blog consists of topics from the launch of a new mini-series on the US opioids crisis (“Painkiller” on Netflix) to how police are testing high drivers to why younger workers in China, India, and Vietnam are avoiding factory jobs. Today, I wish to shed some light on the issue of the college “arms race”. For the past couple of decades, many universities have been on a spending spree: Building more specialized labs, rec centers, stadiums, etc. Some administrators have claimed they needed to do this to recruit the best and brightest students. In the end, it is the students and their families who paid for these amenities…but at what cost? In an era of “college for all”, too many parents pushed their kids to attend tertiary education—often aimlessly—and, now, more than a few graduates are claiming to have worthless degrees. It is no secret that: 1) Universities, for the most part, were one of a few industries in the US that continued to raise their prices, year after year, during the Great Recession (2007-2012); and 2) Student debt is one of the few types of debt, in general, one cannot file for bankruptcy. With these points in mind, is there any wonder why:

student debt ($1.6t) now exceeds the sub-prime mortgage debacle in 2007 ($1.2t); and
young adults are putting off traditions like marriage and home-buying?

Some of us may have friends who have “joked” about their 28-32 yo children living in their basements. Recent surveys reveal that too many of these young adults are now convinced their lives will not be better than that of their parents. With respect to the so-called American Dream, one might ask how the related actions of Congress, bankers, and universities have done more harm than good?

Source: https://www.wsj.com/articles/state-university-tuition-increase-spending-41a58100?mod=Searchresults_pos1&page=1

MO Moms / Pregnancy / Death

MH Tool Kit for Schools

Business of Well-being

New CDC data on Suicides

OD Deaths & Xylazine

Xylazine in Maine

MH Tool Kt for Construction

Supporting Injured Workers

Coal Miners & Silica

Black Women & Opioids

Lolla & Narcan

Meth / Money / Motivation

PAINKILLER Movie / Opioids / Sacklers

US Supreme Court & Opioids Settlement (1)

US Supreme Court & Opioids Settlement (2)

Fentanyl’s Path from Mexico

OD deaths in Mexico

Police / Testing / High Drivers

Heat Inequity

Facing Your Fears

Emotional Health & Mondays

AI & Babysitting?

Impact of Social Connections

On Happiness

Drug Trials & Suicide Death

New Rules on Donating Blood

Retirement / Illness / Money Planning

Kimchi & Fermented Foods

Your Brain & Language Apps

Trucker & Pilots are Fed Up

Update: Davis-Bacon Law

Starbucks Diversity Policy Challenged

The Real Cost of College Tuition

College Students & Money Mistakes

When workers make more than managers

WFH era fading?

Gen Z & Benefits

Graying of US Prison Population

Younger Workers & Asian Factories

Germany / Time / Trains

Canada & Free Construction Training

Upcoming webinars, etc.:

ASIST Training

Impact of Suicide in Construction Industry

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 14, 2023/by Braxton Payne

Worker Wellness News

Wellness & Well-being Highlights August 7

Wellness & Well-being Highlights

for the

Week of August 7, 2023

This week’s edition of our Worker Wellness & Well-being blog consists of topics from a new pill for postpartum depression to how costs are causing employers to limit employees access to weigh loss drugs to how pandemic-related student learning loss has negatively impacted new workers’ skills. Today, I wish to shed some light on the issue of unintended consequences. For several years, Portugal has been held up as a model country for decriminalizing drugs. And, a couple of states have adopted/adapted that model to fit their needs (i.e., Oregon). Truth be told, SUD/OUD rarely is JUST about illegal drug use. Too often, other aspects of mental health play concurrent key roles…not to mention joblessness, homelessness, etc. To debate whether or not the “War on Drugs” has failed our citizens only seems to further entrench opposing sides. In my opinion, we must recognize that the scourge of Fentanyl has touched ALL of our lives…directly or indirectly. Stats for 2022 reveal that nearly 110k people in the USA died from drug overdoses, of which ~70% were due to Fentanyl. In other words, US Fentanyl-related deaths equate to approximately 77k people in 2022 or almost 211 per day. So, no matter which side you are on, someone near and dear to you may very easily be part of that daily 211. Isn’t it time we set our differences aside and work together to reduce these numbers…at least back to 2016 figures: 160 per day? To this end, I respectfully have 2 asks: PLEASE don’t wait till this tragic issue hits your dinner table. PLEASE do consider what you might do on the upcoming International Overdose Awareness Day (August 31) to help break the stigma and maybe save a life of a friend or family member. Thank you!

Sources: https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2023/07/07/portugal-drugs-decriminalization-heroin-crack/

https://www.nytimes.com/2023/07/31/health/portland-oregon-drugs.html?searchResultPosition=1

https://ncapda.org/ioad/?gclid=Cj0KCQjwib2mBhDWARIsAPZUn_n6hyPksWH3F1WIJRb0W0x3Pz2b7KgDAunvUBqVd3V2y1sU5sVsfCgaArLcEALw_wcB

Heat & Age

International Overdose Awareness Day

Facts About Fentanyl

Portugal & Drug Decriminalization

Portland & Drug Decriminalization

Homeless Camp / Oakland

Boston / Opioids Settlement / Spending

Wasting opioids settlement funds

Addiction & Involuntary Treatment

Women & Postpartum Depression

Postpartum Depression Pill

50% of Population w/ MH Issues

~90% of Teens: MH Challenges

Bipolar Disorder: Women v Men

Women / Alcohol / Deaths

MLB Pitcher / Alcohol Rehab

Hangovers

Wellness & Well-being Highlights July 30

Wellness & Well-being Highlights

for the

Week of July 30, 2023

This week’s edition of our Worker Wellness & Well-being blog consists of topics from how big pharma is using the US legal system to skirt their obligations to assist the communities that they helped destroy to how the songs of birds can aid in easing your anxiety to the importance of creating apprenticeships across all industrial sectors in order to address today’s workforce shortages. Today, I wish to shed some light on the issue of Recovery Friendly Workplaces (RFW). On August 10, 2023, University of Missouri- Extension will be holding a summit in Columbia, MO (live and virtual) showcasing the work they have accomplished in this arena over the last ~3 years. As noted in related articles below, people who are in MOUD (Medication for Opioid Use Disorder) recovery have proven to be some of the most loyal and productive employees. In Missouri alone, we have nearly 29,000 working-age people in MOUD recovery (of which approximately 3800 are people with construction skills) and yet industries across the spectrum continue to ring the “workforce shortage” warning bell. The aforementioned event will allow interested employers to network with firms that have created safe environments for workers in MOUD recovery. The bottom line: Isn’t about time we consider giving people a 2^nd, 3^rd, or maybe even a 4^th chance?

Sources: https://extension.missouri.edu/events/recovery-friendly-workplace-reimagining-today-s-workforce

https://fortune.com/2023/07/27/opioid-recovery-friendly-workplace-culture-tips/

https://fortune.com/longform/drug-addiction-recovery-workplace-support/

https://www.columbiamissourian.com/news/state_news/workplace-support-plays-a-critical-role-in-managing-the-opioid-crisis/article_0c6383ba-1511-11ee-a1c1-7743f660e7e5.html

MH worsening for employees

New proposed rules for MH parity

Help for domestic violence

Recovery Friendly Workplace Tips

RFW Support

Workplace & Managing the opioid crisis

Celebrating RFW

Fentanyl & Murder charges

Portland / Homeless / Fentanyl

$1b end run on opioids settlement obligation

Purdue Pharma’s win & US Supreme Court’s failure

On combating Tranq Dope

Social media & Student harm

Screening for anxiety?

Workplace resilience

Grief as a spiritual practice

Cost of weight on career

Ozempic: Losing weight & Suicidal ideation?

Pain management

Your brain needs a vacation

Birds & MH

COVID’s next vaccine

Depression & Personal hygiene

How to chill out

Wellness & False claims

Craft projects & Strangers

2023’s best exercises?

Making friends as an adult

A “smart” gun?

Public pools & Drowning

Update: UPS & Teamsters

Farmworkers / Visa / Labor shortage

Update: Military sexual assault

OSHA / Injury data / Exposure

Hard hat / Job openings

Govt jobs / Wage wars

On presenteeism

50% employees looking to leave

China’s youth unemployment

HR & Child care

NY crane collapse

Baking on a plane

Dealing w/ record heat

Why Apprenticeships?

WC / Concussions / Collar

WC / Head injury

Upcoming webinars, etc.:

Opioids crisis & Ethnic communities

Recovery Friendly Workplaces

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.

July 31, 2023/by Braxton Payne

Worker Wellness News

Wellness & Well-being Highlights July 23

Wellness & Well-being Highlights

for the

Week of July 16, 2023

This week’s edition of our Worker Wellness & Well-being blog consists of topics from how the food you eat can impact your mood to the importance of including “play” in your daily routines to how establishing a brief, regular mindfulness practice can settle your mind by connecting you to the present. Today, I wish to shed some light on the issue of the ongoing worker shortage. As noted in one article below, public infrastructure funding has been secured but is the US construction industry positioned to answer the call? Meanwhile, another story below focuses on our country’s reliance on foreign workers to pick crops your and my family rely on. Finally, the third article below explains how our neighbors to the north are strategically attracting skilled talent to address their workforce needs. As a nation of immigrants, one would think we would take a more proactive stance on this issue not unlike Canada has. Whether it is tech, farmwork, lawn care, or roofing, it begs the question: When will the US stop “using” these foreign workers as disposable/replaceable parts and start developing the very people who have been vital to our economy for decades?

Sources: https://www.constructiondive.com/news/the-infrastructure-act-was-historic-now-we-need-workers-to-get-the-job-do/688212/?utm_source=Sailthru&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Issue:%202023-07-18%20Construction%20Dive%20Newsletter%20%5Bissue:52698%5D&utm_term=Construction%20Dive

https://www.npr.org/2023/07/16/1187992791/the-u-s-s-increased-reliance-on-farmworkers-from-other-countries-is-drawing-conc

https://www.wsj.com/articles/canada-is-coming-for-our-lottery-winners-h-1b-tech-talent-immigration-e18213b5

Good Foods & Good Moods

Student MH Podcast

Teens & Firearms in the US and Beyond

Fentanyl & Texas

Contractors & Narcan

Employers & Stress Management

Saying NO

Showing yourself Self-compassion

How a women’s WC team revamped their program