The Cornell Chronicle recently reported on the Building Trades Peer Support Network, a collaborative effort led by the Building & Construction Trades Council (BCTC) to address mental health and substance abuse among construction workers. Local 3 ‘A’ journeyman and instructor Lorenzo Curtis was one of several union members interviewed for this article.
Working with Jeff Grabelsky and Arianna Schindle of Cornell’s Worker Institute, the BCTC has developed a program to recruit and train union members to assess mental health risks and refer others to get the care they need. The goal is to train 1,000 union members, who will be identifiable by a sticker on their hardhats.
If you are interested in becoming an on-site peer supporter, please contact Organizing Director Ray Kitson or call the Construction Desk at (718) 591-4000 ext. 440 and leave your name and information. If you or someone you know is in need of help, you can contact the Joint Industry Board’s Substance Abuse Services & Mental Health Referral Guidance at (718) 591-2000 ext. 1396, or anyone can call or text 988 to reach the 24/7 nationwide Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.
