b'MENTAL HEALTHPROMOTING MENTALHEALTH INTHE FIELDBy Matthew BradfordIgnorance isnt bliss when it comes to mental health in the workplaceT he events of 2020 have turned a sharper focus on physical health and safety in construction as well as the aggregate industry. While this is a topic that always deserves atten-tion, there is currently a growing need to make mental health an equal priority. The spectre of mental illness looms heavily over the construction sector. The pandemic has heightened anxieties around everythingand all I want to do is get through my day so I can go back to bed. from personal safety to job security. Combined with the stresses ofSo those concerns go unheard and only get worse.navigating COVID-19 guidelines and jobsite restrictions, there areEncouraging those conversations begins with eliminating the good reasons why mental health advocates like Michael Landsbergstill-lingeringstigmasandstereotypesassociatedwithmental are imploring industry leaders across Canada to take these issueshealth.Eventoday,afteryearsofincreasedmessagingand to heart.support,thereareongoingmisconceptionsthatindividuals Mental health needs to be a priority in every industry, especiallysuffering from depression or anxiety are weak, untrustworthy or now during the time of a pandemic where rates of mental illnessunreliable. Its no wonder, then, that workers with mental health haveincreasedacrosstheboardineveryindustryandeveryissues stay quiet out of fear of losing work or the respect of their description of mental illness, whether it be depression, anxiety,family andfriends.panic disorders or suicidal thoughts, says Landsberg.Were coming out of 100 years of mental illness being perceived Landsbergisnostrangertothechallengesoflivingwithas weakness, and it is tough to get rid of, says Landsberg. No anxiety and depression. A distinguished Canadian journalist andone wants to be perceived as weak. If you see your illness as weak speaker, and host of TSNs Off the Record, he is also not shy aboutand you get the impression that others around you do as well, sharing his mental illness experiences and helping to normalizethen youve got a real problem because youre not going to open theconversation.up and get the support youneed.Takeaconstructionsite,forexample,notesLandsberg.Tearing down the taboos around mental illness is the first step Normally, if you turned to your buddy and said, Im feeling thistowards building a more inclusive, productive and healthy jobsite sharp pain in my side, theyd recommend you see a doctor. On theculture. Such is the goal of Landsbergs charity, Sick, Not Weak, other hand, not as many people feel comfortable with coming upand the message he imparts to audiences across the nation using a to that same friend and saying, I feel like my life is out of controlmix of humour and his unique personal perspective.12 AVENUESWINTER 2021'