What If Mental Health Was Treated Like Jobsite Safety? | Wykisha Thomas-McKinney, Nate Strickland & Tyler Smith | 221

*What if mental health was treated with the same urgency as every other jobsite safety risk?* Ryan sits down with Wykisha Thomas-McKinney of MATES North America, alongside Nate Strickland and Tyler Smith of Summit Line Construction, for an important conversation about suicide prevention, mental health, and what it really means to look out for the people working beside you. Wykisha is the Program Operations Manager for MATES North America, helping bring the peer-led suicide prevention model into North American construction. Nate is Summit Line Construction's Safety Director and shares both his professional perspective and personal experience with depression and losing close friends to suicide. Tyler is a Senior Project Manager with 23 years in the industry, including roughly 18 years living the realities of field and road work. Together, they unpack some of the pressures that can make construction and line work uniquely challenging: long rotations, isolation, missed family milestones, relationship strain, workplace trauma, substance use, and a culture that has historically told workers to put their game face on and keep moving. The conversation also breaks down the MATES **Network of Safety**, including General Awareness training, peer Connectors and advanced suicide intervention training designed to put support directly inside the workforce. The goal isn't to turn coworkers into therapists. It's to give people the tools to notice when something is wrong, ask the question, listen, offer support and help someone find the right resources. They also discuss why leaders set the tone for psychologically safer crews, why being vulnerable doesn't make someone less tough, how to check in with a coworker who seems off, and why building a mental-health plan before a crisis can make it easier to know where to turn when things get difficult. Whether you're an apprentice, journeyman, foreman, supervisor, safety professional, contractor, leader, spouse or friend, this episode is a reminder that **safety doesn't stop at the hard hat.** **CONTENT NOTE:** This episode discusses suicide, suicidal thoughts, depression, substance use, loss and workplace trauma. If you or someone you know is struggling, help is available: - **United States:** Call or text **988** for the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. - **Canada:** Call or text **9-8-8** for the Suicide Crisis Helpline. <!--THE END--> - If someone is in immediate danger, call **911** or go to the nearest emergency department. **Learn more about MATES North America:** matesna.org ✌️**SUPPORT THE PODCAST HERE** ✌️ 📱**FOLLOW THE PODCAST ON SOCIAL MEDIA**📱 Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@powerlinepodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠ TikTok: ⁠⁠⁠⁠@powerlinepodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠ YouTube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠@powerlinepodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠ LinkedIn: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Powerline Podcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Facebook: ⁠⁠⁠⁠@Powerline-Podcast⁠⁠⁠⁠ X: ⁠⁠⁠⁠@PowerlinePodcst⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⚡️**GUESTS: WYKISHA THOMAS-MCKINNEY & NATE STRICKLAND**⚡️ LinkedIn: Wykisha Mckinney | Nathaniel Strickland **MATES NORTH AMERICA PILOT** Website: matesna.org Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠@matesnorthamerica TikTok: @matesnorthamerica LinkedIn: MATES North America Pilot Facebook: @MATES North America Pilot X: @MATESNthAmerica 🎙️**HOST: RYAN LUCAS**🎙️ Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠@ryanwlucas⁠⁠⁠⁠ TikTok: ⁠⁠⁠⁠@ryanwlucas⁠⁠⁠⁠ LinkedIn: ⁠⁠⁠⁠Ryan Lucas⁠⁠⁠⁠ 💥**INQUIRIES OR GUEST SUGGESTION**💥 Email: [⁠⁠⁠powerlinepodcast@quantaservices.com⁠](mailto:powerlinepodcast@quantaservices.com)