HELPING HANDS

HELPING HANDS – DISTRICT COUNCIL 16

MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS MONTH

You are never alone with District Council 16 

Mental Health Awareness Month highlights the importance of emotional well-being in every workplace, especially in the construction industry. Construction workers often face physically demanding tasks, long hours, tight deadlines, and stressful job conditions. These challenges can increase the risk of anxiety, depression, stress, and burnout. Raising awareness helps reduce stigma and encourages workers to seek support when needed.

• Construction workers experience high levels of job-related stress due to heavy workloads, safety risks, and changing work environments. 
• Mental health issues can affect concentration, decision-making, and overall job performance, increasing the risk of workplace accidents. 
• Many workers avoid discussing mental health because they fear judgment or appearing weak. Creating an open and supportive culture is essential. 
• Employers can support workers by providing mental health training, counseling services, employee assistance programs, and regular wellness check-ins. 
• Team communication and peer support help workers feel connected and less isolated on the job site. 
• Supervisors should recognize warning signs such as fatigue, mood changes, lack of focus, or withdrawal from coworkers. Early support can make a significant difference. 
• Safety meetings during Mental Health Awareness Month can include discussions about stress management, suicide prevention, and available resources. 
• Promoting mental health awareness improves morale, productivity, teamwork, and overall workplace safety. 
• Every worker deserves access to support and the confidence to speak openly about mental health without fear of discrimination. 

Mental Health Awareness Month reminds the construction industry that mental health is just as important as physical safety. By encouraging awareness, compassion, and access to resources, construction companies can create healthier and safer workplaces for everyone.

YOU ARE NEVER ALONE WITH DISTRICT COUNCIL 16

Mental Health:

Within the DC16 Helping Hands program, there are EAPs (Employee Assistance Programs) waiting to help you or any of your dependents. They offer traditional therapy sessions, as well as inpatient and outpatient programs, all of which are at zero cost to you.

Substance abuse:

Our program offers inpatient and outpatient rehabilitation services, if you or any of your dependents are struggling with addiction or alcoholism, at no cost to you.

If you need assistance, you can reach out to your Business Representative, Director of Mental Health and Addiction James Boster @ 925-409-1525 jamesb@dc16iupat.org, or Assistant to the Director of Mental Health & Addiction, Ryleigh Castro @ ryleigh@dc16iupat.org. This is all confidential.

See pictures below of James Boster, Ryleigh Castro, Sam Krahnke, Bob Llewellyn, and Edgar Flores, who are part of the Helping Hands Committee, talking to members of District Council 16  at job sites and at a Safety meeting that General Contractor Gilbane invited DC16 Helping Hands to speak to all the workers at their jobsite in Alameda during a Safety week meeting.