Wellness Workdays launches BRAVE mental health program for construction industry

Wellness Workdays, a Boston-based provider of workplace health solutions, has launched what it calls a first-of-its-kind training program specifically for the construction industry. BRAVE: Building a Toolbox for Mental Health & Safety, is designed to address mental health challenges within the industry and equip leaders, safety managers and crews to identify, address and prevent mental health crises.

According to Wellness Workdays, construction workers face some of the highest rates of suicide, substance use disorders and mental health concerns of any profession in the U.S. The program was developed in collaboration with mental health clinicians, safety experts and construction teams.

BRAVE is delivered in-person as two 2-hour sessions or a single half-day workshop by certified behavioral health professionals with experience in safety environments. Wellness Workdays says the BRAVE program uses real-world construction scenarios, role play and guided discussion to help participants:

• recognize signs of distress, substance misuse and mental illness among coworkers;
• apply the 5-step BRAVE Action Plan;
• understand privacy, cultural humility and deescalation techniques;
• connect peers to professional help and workplace resources; and
• practice self-care and manage emotional stress.

Participants receive a certificate of completion and follow-up support materials.

“Mental health is safety,” Debra Wein, CEO and founder of Wellness Workdays, says. “BRAVE is not just another training program. It is a core layer of jobsite safety. By giving workers tools to recognize warning signs, listen without judgment and connect peers to help, we’re building stronger, safer teams.”