Is there anything you want to just share about how things have changed, what's available, how easy it is to be involved and access to these resources?

I think the accessibility, Sue, hits that right on the head.

That to me is what has happened.

As people have gotten more comfortable talking about these topics, industry leaders have emerged from every sector, from every trade, many labor, non-organized labor, merit shop contractors.

It's been an industry-wide initiative.

And I think what we've heard both the CIASB and Construction Suicide Prevention Week describe is organic growth.

naturally occurring from within the industry as people get more comfortable talking about it, recognizing that everyone does have a role to play in this topic.

Since we're talking about him, you might as well jump in here, Cal, and talk to us a little bit about, you know, as a member of NAC and as somebody that is really connected in the industry, what are some things that you could encourage us to do? How should we show up for this Construction Suicide Prevention Week? What are some words of wisdom you want to share with our audience?

And could you add more about your current role in SAFE, the SAFE Project, and any other details that our listeners need to know about you?

Thank you so much, Sue.

You've been such a great champion and supporter of the work I've done and appreciated the prior webinars with Kevin Hilton.

Today, it felt really important for us to shift to bring some of the boots on the ground leaders that I deeply respect for the work that they've done.

And I'm really grateful and so happy that Sonja is here.

For me, this work is a continuation of the work I've been doing for many years that got me to the National Academy of Construction.

For 35 years, I've been a safety and risk management professional, and I helped people get help.

Cal, do you want to add anything to that, just in terms of context and why mental health, substance abuse prevention, and suicide prevention is important to you?

How do we build a workplace where people actually believe that and aren't afraid to ask for help?

Yeah.

This needs a lot of intentionality.

Building a caring culture is part of it.

Building supportive leadership is another part of it.

I would say there's strategies.

You have to galvanize top-down leadership support, and leaders need to recognize they have a role to play.

Um, if, if every company listening today committed to doing just one thing this year to better support mental health and prevent substance a- misuse, what would you tell them to do first?

How do we build a workplace where people actually believe that and aren't afraid to ask for help?

Yeah, this needs a lot of intentionality.

Building a caring culture is part of it.

Building supportive leadership is another part of it.

I would say there's strategies.

You have to galvanize top-down leadership support, and leaders need to recognize they have a role to play.

Over many years, I developed a simple model, and I called it the three V's, but it was leaders that were visible and vocal supporters of workplace mental health, people who would acknowledge that it's real and that help is available.