Wellness & Well-being Highlights
for the
Week of May 7, 2023
This week’s edition of our Worker Wellness & Well-being blog consists of topics from how the DEA is taking a new approach to stemming our nation’s opioid (fentanyl) crisis to how John Legend is supporting efforts to help former prisoners re-enter the workforce to the Surgeon General’s take on the negative impact of isolation and loneliness in our society. Today, I wish to shed some light on the issue of how a medical doctor’s recent life and death experience (related to a food allergy) on a SWA flight has garnered national attention. Apparently, SWA’s first aid kit did not have an EpiPen to assist her but fortunately another passenger (first responder) was available to administer a shot of epinephrine. Not too long ago, I wrote about my experience last October on SWA’s Flight 928 wherein a first responder and I used Narcan to revive a passenger who was in throes of an opioid overdose. If you recall, afterwards, SWA ignored my request to address the issue in a professional and responsible manner. As I reflect on these two distinct events, I feel a need to ask if SWA’s failure to act months ago had more to do with the “stigma” of drug misuse vs saving face (i.e., flying ill-equipped planes w/ ill-prepared employees)? More importantly, the FAA is in the process of reviewing their minimum standards regarding airlines’ first aid kits. Hopefully, by the end of this summer, we will see ALL commercial carriers carrying Narcan and EpiPens on their flights as well as have flight crews trained to administer these life-saving drugs!
Senate / Limits / Social Media / Kids’ MH
Gun assaults on kids more than double during COVID’s peak
I can, You can, We all can, NARCAN
Will a near death on SWA flight prompt FAA to review rules?
High School suicide results in reviewing current MH system
Surgeon General / Isolation & Loneliness (1)
Surgeon General / Isolation & Loneliness (2)
Surgeon General / Isolation & Loneliness (3)
Period products in men’s restrooms?
Fried foods / Depression & Anxiety
Women / Construction / Injuries
STL-based General Contractor transitions to Safety Helmets
Amazon’s affordable healthcare & Privacy?
Are nurses flocking back to hospitals?
Billboard firm sues Carpenters’ Union
Are HS seniors spurning college?
Is community college a waste of time?
College students / Housing crisis / Trailers
NFL & Employment Discrimination
KY High School football player dies
Upcoming webinars, etc.:
QPR: Question, Persuade, Refer (Suicide Prevention Training)
National Suicide Prevention Survey
“May is Mental Health Month” Tool Kit
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.