b'HEALTH & SAFETYEVERYONE CAN SUPPORT THEIR COLLEAGUES BY TREATING THEM WITH DIGNITY AND RESPECT. BE AWARE OF ATTITUDES, BEHAVIOURS, CHOOSE YOUR WORDS THOUGHTFULLY, SPEAK UP WHEN YOU WITNESS STIGMATIZING ATTITUDES OR BEHAVIOURS AND EDUCATE OTHERS WHERE YOU CAN.-LIN YUhealth and safety initiatives andindustry and trade-related occupationswith dignity and respect. Be aware of increased costs related to mental healthlikely results in certain characteristicsattitudes, behaviours, choose your words injuries and illnesses.such as strength, risk-taking or hardinessthoughtfully, speak up when you witness being valued more, and others likestigmatizing attitudes or behaviours and The intensity and impacts of mentalbeing emotional or nurturing, beingeducate others where you can.health stigmas can be hard to quantify.valued less.Nevertheless, it is a factor recognized byHOLISTIC STRATEGIES FOR A mental health professionals, especiallyThere are many ways to combat thisTIMELY ISSUEwhen it comes to assessing mental healthstigma. According to Yu, strategies includeA multifaceted issue demands in male-dominated sectors.encouraging and training constructionmultifaceted responses. The good news leaders to implement effective mentalis that Canadian employers have been As Dr. Smith suggests: The 2023health supports and play a more active Labour Force Survey tells us 87 per centrole in building a workplace culture incommitted to identifying and addressing of people working in the constructionwhich mental health discussions andmental health challenges long before a industry are men, and 92 per cent ofdisclosures are encouraged, not deterred.national month was established.people working in trades, transport and equipment operators and relatedAs for the role that jobsite colleaguesStill, as Mental Health Month in Canada occupations are men. The male- can play, she adds, Everyone canand the US reminds us, it is vital that the dominated nature of the constructionsupport their colleagues by treating themissue does not lose focus. Addressing todays mental health challenges means understanding the underlying factors and engaging all stakeholdersfrom jobsite leaders to health and safety committees, workers, company owners and beyondin potential strategies.It also means ensuring company leaders are trained to address this issue on a daily basis, and that supportive mental health programs and resources are available to anyone who requires them. And then, says Yu, it means uniting all stakeholders in building a workplace where no one feels they have to sufferin silence.Having courageous conversations about topics related to workplace mental health takes time and practice, she says. Ultimately, you want to create an environment where workers feel safe to speak up when there is an issue, concern or idea. 16Quarter 22024 BUILDERSDIGEST'