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Archive for category: Worker Wellness News

Work life balance
Worker Wellness News

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:

  1. student debt ($1.6t) now exceeds the sub-prime mortgage debacle in 2007 ($1.2t); and
  2. 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
https://moworksinitiative.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/iStock-697895326.jpg 779 1345 Braxton Payne https://moworksinitiative.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/missouri-works-initiative-logo-new-1-300x222.png Braxton Payne2023-08-14 19:08:272024-01-16 17:04:04Wellness & Well-being Highlights August 14
Work life balance
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

 

More on Trauma

 

Employers / Access to Weight Loss Drugs

 

Abolishing Medical Debt?

 

Workouts over 40

 

Vacation Sex

 

Schizophrenia & Turmeric

 

Latest Suicide Data

 

Construction rep to push MH w/ OSHA

 

OSHA & Workplace Stress

 

Peer Support in STL Construction Industry

 

Teamsters’ SOB

 

Hotel Workers & Affordable Housing

Amazon & OSHA

 

More on Apprenticeships

 

Infrastructure & Training Incentive

 

Learning Loss & Workplace Skills

 

Poaching Workers Across Borders

 

MO Hospitals Closing

 

Pensions & Religion

 

NJ Student Suicide

 

Stanford Goalie / World Cup / Legacy

 

More on TBIs

 

CTE Caregiver Guidebook

 

Upcoming webinars, etc.:

Protecting Your Brain

 

Eat smart / Be active

 

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 7, 2023/by Braxton Payne
https://moworksinitiative.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/iStock-697895326.jpg 779 1345 Braxton Payne https://moworksinitiative.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/missouri-works-initiative-logo-new-1-300x222.png Braxton Payne2023-08-07 18:22:122024-01-16 17:04:06Wellness & Well-being Highlights August 7
Work life balance
Worker Wellness News

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 2nd, 3rd, or maybe even a 4th 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
https://moworksinitiative.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/iStock-697895326.jpg 779 1345 Braxton Payne https://moworksinitiative.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/missouri-works-initiative-logo-new-1-300x222.png Braxton Payne2023-07-31 17:33:552024-01-16 17:04:07Wellness & Well-being Highlights July 30
Work life balance
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

 

Update: Teen suicides during COVID

A student’s suicide & School’s liability?

 

Well-being washing

 

Mindfulness practice (1)

 

Mindfulness practice (2)

 

Mindfulness practice (3)

 

Play’s impact on your MH

 

Mortality & Maternity

 

Working Grandparents’ benefit: Time Off

Moving beyond a broken friendship

 

Sugar & Cancer?

 

UFCW in STL avoids strike

 

AI: Business & Labor

 

How will shifting demographics change the world?

 

OSHA / Women / PPE

 

Job site harassment

 

OSHA & Heat Safety?

 

TX worker dies from heat

 

New funding = More work…but we NEED workers

 

US relies on workers from other countries

 

Canada attracts skilled workers from other countries

 

Is it time to bring back asylums?

 

More on student loans

 

Upcoming webinars, etc.:

Adult MHFA Training

 

Youth MHFA Training

July 24, 2023/by Braxton Payne
https://moworksinitiative.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/iStock-697895326.jpg 779 1345 Braxton Payne https://moworksinitiative.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/missouri-works-initiative-logo-new-1-300x222.png Braxton Payne2023-07-24 20:03:372024-01-16 17:04:09Wellness & Well-being Highlights July 23
Work life balance
Worker Wellness News

Wellness & Well-being Highlights July 16

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 well the new Suicide Prevention & Mental Health Crisis Lifeline (988) is working one year on to the dangers of using Kratom for pain relief to how work-related trauma negatively impacts organizations. Today, I wish to shed some light on the issue of how the WSJ recently broke an article pertaining to telecommunication workers and their decades long exposure to lead via the cables they worked with on a daily basis. Once again, we see big corporations not only ignoring the health & welfare of their workers in the field but their customers as well. With respect to the latter, the lead from these cables, etc. leaches into the environments where we live, work, and play. The science is clear: Lead is especially harmful to children! These children are those telecommunications companies’ future customers. Labor unions for years have fought to ensure safer workplaces. And, for the most part, have held firms to higher standards by balancing safer productivity with reasonable profits. However, the case herein goes beyond the workplace. At the very least, it should raise questions about the societal harm of unfettered capitalism! It was “people at the top” who made these poor decisions…and, yet, because our supreme court treats corporations as people, the only people who will seemingly pay will be those who unknowingly and/or unwillingly are/were exposed to this toxic metal.

 

Sources: https://www.wsj.com/articles/lead-cables-exposure-workers-ca6d67f0?reflink=integratedwebview_share

https://www.wsj.com/articles/att-verizon-lead-cables-telecom-5e329f9?mod=Searchresults_pos6&page=1

 

988…One year later (1)

 

988…One year later (2)

 

NYPD & Mental Illness Hotline?

 

Wall Street & MH

 

Students’ podcast on MH

 

More Americans seeking MH care

 

Teens / Girls / Depression & Suicide

 

Your morning routine & Depression

 

Update: PTSD

 

Opioids settlements: So far, so little

 

Opioids: Post Civil War

 

Crypto & Fentanyl

 

Opioid ODs / STL / Black Men

 

WI / Opioids / Harm Reduction

 

When crack was king

 

Kratom’s dangers

 

Biden’s plan for Xylazine

 

Pet Vets & Xylazine

 

Plans for Work-Life Balance

 

Getting rid of Menopause?

 

Treating Loneliness

 

Sunscreen & Aging

 

Gum disease

 

Longevity Clinics?

 

Mindfulness & MH

 

Mindfulness & Vacationing

 

Workouts & Vacations

 

OTC Birth Control Pill

 

BIPOC MH Tool Kit

 

Trauma in Organizations

 

Farmworkers / Heat / Safety

 

Telecom Workers & Lead Poisoning

 

FL & Public Unions

 

States & Average Salaries

 

More on student debt

 

OSHA Fines Q2-2023

 

Safety Helmets v Hard Hats

 

CPWR: Construction workers’ wages & benefits

 

Can AI crack healthcare?

 

Upcoming webinars, etc.:

Recovery Friendly Workplaces Seminar

 

Ticks & Lyme Disease

 

Coping w/ Anxiety & Stress

 

 

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 17, 2023/by Braxton Payne
https://moworksinitiative.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/iStock-697895326.jpg 779 1345 Braxton Payne https://moworksinitiative.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/missouri-works-initiative-logo-new-1-300x222.png Braxton Payne2023-07-17 17:01:212024-01-16 17:04:10Wellness & Well-being Highlights July 16
Work life balance
Worker Wellness News

Wellness & Well-being Highlights July 10

Wellness & Well-being Highlights

for the

Week of July 10, 2023

This week’s edition of our Worker Wellness & Well-being blog consists of topics from how the concept worker wellness is gaining importance in the C-Suite to how the >50-year War on Drugs has cost Americans a lot in terms of lives and funding with scant results to the news of the first female professional athlete being diagnosed with the brain disease, CTE…which, currently, can only be determined postmortem. Today, I wish to shed some light on the issue of how good intentions can often have unintended consequences. More specifically, there is an ongoing heated debate in the US as to whether or not our public health systems should support harm reduction efforts. Harm reduction has more recently become a popular term as it relates to measures to safely assist people experiencing OUD (opioid use disorder) avoid becoming “dope sick” w/o fear of judgment and/or discrimination. These measures may include providing clean needles; free Narcan, tests strips, condoms; wound care; supervised use space; and/or counseling. Recent research has shown that compassionate care is a strategy that can improve the lives of those who misuse drugs while patterns of drug overdoses and deaths have followed major busts in several areas. With respect to the latter, why? Experts suggest that by destabilizing the illegal drug ecosystem in a given area, users seek their supply from less reliable sources (i.e., product with greater potency, laced with Xylazine, etc.) or go without drugs for a short period which can alter one’s tolerance when returning to use. As I have written before in this blog, policies on paper may look great but rarely ferret out issues much beyond first order consequences.

Let’s face it, this nation has:

  • a workforce shortage
  • over 2 million adults with OUD

Right or wrong, we cannot arrest our way out of the opioids crisis. Maybe it is time to stop penalizing those with a disease and begin helping them become productive members of society!

 

Sources: https://www.npr.org/2023/07/05/1183172045/fentanyl-drug-busts-overdose-police-dealers-trafficking-indianapolis

 

First Responders & Suicide Prevention

 

MH: One Size does not Fit All

 

Total Worker Health & Jobsite Safety

 

India’s execs commit to MH

 

Firms hiring Chief Wellness Officers

 

Swapping hard hats for safety helmets

 

+50 War on Drugs

Cannabis & Mental Illness

 

Narcan on the jobsites!!!

 

Opioid ODs & Cognitive Abilities

 

Opioids’ Impact on Rural Workforce

 

Paramedics approach to repeat opioids ODs

 

More on Tranq

 

Pros & Cons of Fentanyl busts

 

DEA / Social Media / Fentanyl Crisis

 

Update: Adult ADHD

 

ASMR & Posture

 

Reiki & Connection

 

On hitting your “peaks”

 

Sunburn treatment

 

Better sleep differs w/ age

 

US tap water & Forever chemicals

 

Update: Alzheimers medicine

 

CTE & Female Pro Athlete (1)

 

CTE & Female Pro Athlete (2)

 

CTE & Female Pro Athlete (3)

 

So Cal hotel strike

 

UFW win in NY

Another Child Labor Violator

 

REI & Union busting

 

China’s Brain Drain

 

Why we get scammed?

 

Update: Student Loans

 

Students & Motivation

 

More on construction’s discrimination issues

 

Women & Construction’s Worker Shortage

 

Jobs after prison?

 

MO: Parents & Jail / Kids & School

 

Upcoming webinars, etc.:

Virtual Reality demo: Alcohol & Your Brain

 

Yoga for Adults

 

 

 

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 10, 2023/by Braxton Payne
https://moworksinitiative.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/iStock-697895326.jpg 779 1345 Braxton Payne https://moworksinitiative.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/missouri-works-initiative-logo-new-1-300x222.png Braxton Payne2023-07-10 16:39:312024-01-16 17:04:12Wellness & Well-being Highlights July 10
Work life balance
Worker Wellness News

Wellness & Well-being Highlights July 3

Wellness & Well-being Highlights

for the

Week of July 3, 2023

This week’s edition of our Worker Wellness & Well-being blog consists of topics from how poverty negatively impacts a child’s brain to the benefits of hypnotherapy to the recent US Supreme Court’s rulings on colleges & affirmative action and student debt relief. Today, I wish to shed some light on the issue of the “graying” of America. This week I include no less than 4 articles touching on aspects of how grandparents’ duties have changed over the past couple of decades. In addition, why some people into their 80s choose to continue to work. Addressing the former, I have made it no secret in this weekly blog the extent of our country’s opioids crisis. One consequence is that more and more grandparents—who once viewed their retirement years as time for worldly travels, rest, and relaxation—are now stepping up to fill in as parents to their grandchildren. Far too many parents in the 25-54 year range have lost their lives to what I referred to as a “pandemic” long before we knew what COVID-19 was. With respect to the latter, on one hand, the instability of global markets, climate change, epidemics, and a lack of defined pension plans in most workplaces in the past 3 decades have been cause for many older Americans not having sufficient funds to live comfortably in retirement. Thus, finding PT work in retirement is a means of survival vs a need to feed a hobby. While, on the other hand, there are those of us who are able to seek opportunities to contribute. Beyond the ultruism of paying it forward, research suggests that staying active (i.e., consulting, volunteering, etc.) builds/maintains social connections which can help stave off loneliness and early death. With an apparent worker shortage, it seems to make sense for firms to recruit and accommodate retirees to assist in filling in the gaps. To this end, retirees can offer more than institutional knowledge…they can also serve as role models. As my dear friend Dr Doug Swanson recently remarked, “This is the first time in US history that we have 5 generations in the workforce at the same time.” To me, that sounds less like a death knell and more like opportunity knocking!

 

Sources: https://the1a.org/segments/the-opioid-crisis-is-causing-grandparents-to-become-caregivers-again/

https://www.wsj.com/articles/grandparents-get-their-version-of-parental-leave-825fa88c

https://www.npr.org/2023/06/26/1184268060/what-does-an-older-population-mean-for-the-economy-society-at-large

https://www.sciencefocus.com/the-human-body/social-fitness/amp/

 

On Social Fitness

 

Shortage of cancer drugs?

 

The science of trauma

 

Impact of Poverty on Children’s Brains

 

NYC / Homeless / Mental Illness

 

Is there a link between Marijuana / Schizophrenia / Young Men?

 

How to unwind w/o alcohol

 

On teachers & family leave

 

Help for vulnerable Moms in TX

 

Overview: EMDR Therapy

 

What to know about Ketamine

 

Dopamine & Your Brain

 

Stop treating back pain w/ Opioids

 

Good Sighs

 

Mental Imaging

 

Gen Z & MH

 

Coping w/ Grief: Kids

 

More on Social Media & Teens

 

Benefits of Hypnotherapy

 

Emotional labor’s impact on relationships

 

Mindtraps & Unhealthy Relationships

 

On fighting loneliness

 

Fitness vs Losing Weight

 

Self-care for the Summer

 

Intermittent Fasting

 

Rip currents

 

Motherhood & Finances

 

Grandparents: Opioids Crisis & Caregiving

 

Grandparents: Grandternity Leave

 

Workers bargain for hero pay

 

Why are there so many strikes today?

 

CA workers feel emboldened

 

New fed rules may help Miners

 

US Supreme Court & AA college ruling

 

US Supreme Court & Student Debt ruling

 

Biden’s response to Supreme Court & Student Debt (1)

 

Biden’s response to Supreme Court & Student Debt (2)

 

WF Shortage: Car Repair

 

WF Shortage: Military

 

Focus on future job skills

 

Rage applying

 

Loud Quitting

 

Grumpy Staying

 

Working into your 80s

 

What does an aging population mean to an economy?

 

India’s best jobs

 

OSHA Safety Ruling (IL)

 

Vietnam & China: Trafficking women/girls

 

NABTU / Urban League’s National Partnership: Construction Pre-apprenticeships

 

Rural states benefit from improved Internet access

 

Project Enlist: Vets & PTSD / TBI / CTE

 

NFL / Kosar & >100 concussions

 

Upcoming webinars, etc.:

State of the St. Louis Workforce event

 

Outreach Assistance @ STL Co Library

 

Yoga for Pre-K

 

Teens & Conflict Resolution

 

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 4, 2023/by Braxton Payne
https://moworksinitiative.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/iStock-697895326.jpg 779 1345 Braxton Payne https://moworksinitiative.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/missouri-works-initiative-logo-new-1-300x222.png Braxton Payne2023-07-04 19:32:382024-01-16 17:04:13Wellness & Well-being Highlights July 3
Work life balance
Worker Wellness News

Wellness & Well-being Highlights June 26

Wellness & Well-being Highlights

for the

Week of June 26, 2023

This week’s edition of our Worker Wellness & Well-being blog consists of topics from how changes in states’ marijuana policies are posing problems for management to a focus on keeping working teens safe to how yoga can improve your sleep. Today, I wish to shed some light on the issue of work-related stress. The MO AFL-CIO established the MWI’s Worker Wellness Program in an effort to help reduce this very matter. As noted in the report from Canada herein, heavy workloads and the inability to find work-life balance are suspected culprits…even more so for women! Since COVID, many workers have been doing more with less: less staff, less support. As such, stress becomes more common. When “bad” stress consumes our lives (inside and outside of work) we find it difficult to not always be in the “on” mode. As a result, it may be time to step back before you burnout and consider taking a mental health day. Meanwhile, we also need to building and maintaining strong social networks. In so doing, we must learn the importance of forgiving ourselves and others. Experts suggest that this ability to forgive improves the physical and mental health of those around us.

 

Sources: https://www150.statcan.gc.ca/n1/daily-quotidien/230619/dq230619c-eng.htm?utm_campaign=Headlines_062023_CAN&utm_medium=email&utm_source=Eloqua

https://www.everydayhealth.com/emotional-health/signs-you-should-take-a-mental-health-day-and-how-to-do-it/?slot=0&xid=nl_EHNLemohealth_2023-06-19_31834789&utm_source=Newsletters&nl_key=nl_mentalhealth_mooddisorders&utm_medium=email&utm_content=2023-06-19&utm_campaign=Mental_Health_and_Mood_Disorders&utm_term=creativeA&zdee=gAAAAABikG1kcRpju65OYCK7OOXNGPqsAHzj0TznqvuKxOMShKA7dc68seNhy4nsFj67Pyu5gaL7tn3lBuD6s0q5FP0XC2_KARLiqozFs-l0-aoEHEH7qiI%3D

https://www.everydayhealth.com/emotional-health/big-ways-forgiveness-is-good-for-your-health/?slot=0&xid=nl_EHNLemohealth_2023-06-21_31855319&utm_source=Newsletters&nl_key=nl_mentalhealth_mooddisorders&utm_medium=email&utm_content=2023-06-21&utm_campaign=Mental_Health_and_Mood_Disorders&utm_term=creativeA&zdee=gAAAAABikG1kcRpju65OYCK7OOXNGPqsAHzj0TznqvuKxOMShKA7dc68seNhy4nsFj67Pyu5gaL7tn3lBuD6s0q5FP0XC2_KARLiqozFs-l0-aoEHEH7qiI%3D

 

 

What’s behind work-related stress?

 

Jobsite safety matters!

 

988 awareness lags

 

Marijuana & Work

 

Opioids settlement tracker

 

Missouri fact sheet: Opioids settlement

 

7 Days in Arkansas

 

Indonesia / Drug rehab / Slavery

 

Teen wins award: Suicide prevention

 

Teen vaping continues

 

Children / Gun violence / MH

 

Youth workers & Safety/Well-being

 

Youth stressors

 

Kids & Summer boredom

 

COVID & Rise in MH apps

 

Screening ALL adults for anxiety?

 

Vagus nerve & MH

 

How to be happy?

 

Grandparents & Happiness

 

Caring for our elderly

 

When to take a MH day?

 

On building resilience

 

Vets & Yoga

 

Why Tai Chi?

 

Yoga & Sleep

 

Why “forgiveness” matters?

 

Does Ozempic reduce cravings?

 

Drugs & Body positivity

 

Senate targets labor rights

 

Missouri may penalize teachers

 

Starbucks & Pride strike

 

Supreme Court & DEI

 

Youth tests scores drop

 

Skills vs Degree

 

Dechurching

 

AI tools

 

AI: Human vs Machine touch

 

Young adults: Should milestones matter?

 

Homelessness on the rise

 

Force + # of hits = CTE

 

Concussion/CTE prevention protocol

 

Upcoming webinars, etc.:

Adult MHFA

Youth MHFA

https://www.nccih.nih.gov/training/videolectures/kratom-a-botanical-with-traditional-use-in-asia-to-treat-pain-and-opioid-use-problems

https://www.nccih.nih.gov/training/videolectures/change-your-brain-transform-mind

 

 

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.

 

June 26, 2023/by Braxton Payne
https://moworksinitiative.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/iStock-697895326.jpg 779 1345 Braxton Payne https://moworksinitiative.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/missouri-works-initiative-logo-new-1-300x222.png Braxton Payne2023-06-26 16:56:522024-01-16 17:04:15Wellness & Well-being Highlights June 26
Work life balance
Worker Wellness News

Wellness & Well-being Highlights June 19

Wellness & Well-being Highlights

for the

Week of June 19, 2023

This week’s edition of our Worker Wellness & Well-being blog consists of topics from Illinois’ top psychiatrist sharing his vision for improving the mental health “system” to how Russia cannot find enough workers due to the exodus related to their invasion of Ukraine…meanwhile, China cannot supply enough jobs for their recent college graduates to how nearly 30% of FATHERS prefer WFH arrangements in order to establish better work-life balance. Today, I wish to shed some light on the issue of peer support in the construction industry. Earlier this past week, STL Public Radio’s “St. Louis on the Air” show provided a full hour coverage on how STL Laborers Locals 42 & 110 are addressing the mental health needs of their members and their dependents. I tip my hat to Don Willey, Diana Marburger, and the Laborers Health & Welfare Trust funds’ trustees for being pioneers in this much-needed space of addiction awareness and suicide prevention. The STL LEAN (Laborers Escaping Addiction Now) model is based on a 24/7/365 program in Massachusetts that has been operating for several years now. My hopes are that other trades and industries design and implement similar programs for their members/workers. In the meantime, let’s also consider how technology may play a part in our outreach efforts.

 

Sources: https://www.constructforstl.org/how-lean-stl-helps-st-louis-laborers-fight-addiction/

https://www.wcbu.org/local-news/2023-06-15/peoria-psychiatrist-outlines-blueprint-for-improving-access-to-mental-health-care-across-illinois

https://www.themoxyvoice.com/moxy-voice/powerful-roundtable-discussion-emphasizes-peer-support-in-the-construction-industry

 

Dr Lancia’s blueprint for improving MH

 

How STL Laborers are providing peer support

 

More on peer support in the construction industry

 

A game changer: Naloxone

 

Harm reduction: MOBILE treatment for opioids

 

Who is fighting the opioids settlement?

 

Where are the opioids settlement funds???

 

Reneging on the opioids settlement!

 

Tranq: Xylazine’s dangers (1)

 

Tranq: Xylazine’s dangers (2)

 

Tranq: Xylazine’s dangers (3)

 

What is Congress doing about Fentanyl’s future?

 

Is Syria a bigger drug dealer than Mexico?

 

More on Meth

 

Vets & Suicide Prevention

 

Are lower levers of alcohol consumption good for you?

 

Banning Snap Chat for younger teens?

 

Noise’s impact on your health

 

Money / Youth / Brain power

 

Your unconscious mind & MH

 

Women & Sleep

 

Knowing your future self

 

A path to happiness

 

NCAA / Marijuana / Athletes

 

Ozempic & Nature’s substitute?

 

Floating & MH

 

Gardening & Exercise

 

Exercises for anywhere

 

The walking workout

 

PRIDE Tool Kit

 

BIPOC MH Tool Kit

 

SIH Workers Comp 2023 Summit

 

Update: West Coast Dockworkers talks

 

UPS workers strike

 

Amazon drivers walkout

 

Wage theft across the USA

 

Violence against teachers on the rise

 

When more hiring = Less work

 

Impact of the 4-day workweek

 

Rethinking our relationship w/ work

 

The office jerk

 

Layoffs & Good employees exiting

 

Russia needs workers

 

China needs jobs

 

On military spouses & transporting their professional licenses

 

Safety issue: Older Pilots

 

Safety issue: Younger kids

 

EEOC / Construction Industry / Discrimination

 

Update: Student loans restart

 

Fathers & Work-Life Balance

 

Upcoming webinars, etc.:

QPR Suicide Prevention

 

Vets & Loneliness

 

Drug OD Prevention (Self-paced courses)

 

SLPL’s Health & Resource Fair

 

 

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.

 

June 19, 2023/by Braxton Payne
https://moworksinitiative.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/iStock-697895326.jpg 779 1345 Braxton Payne https://moworksinitiative.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/missouri-works-initiative-logo-new-1-300x222.png Braxton Payne2023-06-19 20:47:332024-01-16 17:04:17Wellness & Well-being Highlights June 19
Work life balance
Worker Wellness News

Wellness & Well-being Highlights June 11

Wellness & Well-being Highlights

for the

Week of June 11, 2023

This week’s edition of our Worker Wellness & Well-being blog consists of topics from how the decrease in opium production has impacted the Taliban to how practicing gratitude improves lives beyond the giver and receiver to how retirees need to actively manage their money. Today, I wish to shed some light on the issue of child care in the USA. This week, I have posted links to at least 5 timely articles on this topic. Between the impact of COVID, grandparents living longer and seeking more adventure, and lingering student debt, caretakers (mainly women) are having to make choices that often involve dire consequences…especially for those who are trying to survive at low-wage jobs. If children truly are our future, then we need to collectively propose solutions that ensure all kids have opportunities to learn and grow in safe and loving environments. Research suggests that kids who are not reading at grade level by grade 4, are more than likely to become part of the criminal justice system. A number of European countries addressed this important topic decades ago. Might it be time that we consider their lessons learned?

 

Sources: https://www.cnn.com/2018/04/25/health/child-care-parenting-explainer-intl/index.html

https://www.nytimes.com/2021/10/06/upshot/child-care-biden.html

 

 

 

 

Drug addiction & prevention info (Multiple Languages)

 

Ontario requires some businesses to carry Narcan

 

Narcan: How much is too much?

 

Opium & Taliban’s feature

 

Opioid settlement funds: Going forward

 

Opioid settlement disappointment (1)

 

Opioid settlement disappointment (2)

 

Weight loss drugs & Addictions?

 

Are people w/ SUD being mistreated by medical professionals?

 

On triggering depression

 

Signs of childhood depression

 

Parents’ response to the loss of their daughter

 

How Social Media is impacting our kids

 

MH & Career discrimination

 

Mpox awareness: Summer 2023

 

The benefits of GRATITUDE

 

When self-care is no longer self-care

 

Religion & Health

 

On long term care insurance

 

On exhausting your retirement savings

 

MH & Rural Living

 

Tick season is here

 

Newt’s demise

 

Japan wants foreign workers

 

The US child care dilemma (1)

 

The US child care dilemma (2)

 

The US child care dilemma (3)

 

Child care & Grandma…Don’t count on it

 

Child care / Women / COVID rebound

 

The lifeguard shortage

 

Teaching others to SWIM

 

Elie’s Night: Revisited

 

Animal rights?

 

Helicopter parents…in the workplace!

 

RUST in the workplace

 

Menopause benefits?

 

Neonatal leave?

 

Women / Men / Time

 

The job of attracting & retaining apprentices

 

Take the PHISHING quiz

 

The Gay badge of honor

 

Upcoming webinar:

Queering the farm

 

 

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.

 

June 14, 2023/by Braxton Payne
https://moworksinitiative.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/iStock-697895326.jpg 779 1345 Braxton Payne https://moworksinitiative.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/missouri-works-initiative-logo-new-1-300x222.png Braxton Payne2023-06-14 14:36:392024-01-16 17:04:18Wellness & Well-being Highlights June 11
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