Jill Schiff has been involved in the construction industry long enough to know two key things about mental health:
- It’s an issue that most people in the industry don’t want to talk about.
- It’s an issue that more people in the industry need to talk about.
That’s why Schiff, the chief operating officer of the Associated Construction Contractors of New Jersey, places so much emphasis on mental health in the sector.
May being Mental Health Awareness Month certainly offers an opportunity to begin discussions, but Schiff told BINJE that this is not a one-and-done moment. The ACCNJ is committed to mental health awareness 12 months of the year — and has been for many years.
“We have a male-dominated industry, so mental health issues are a really tough nut to crack,” she said. “It’s very difficult to find a point in which people feel comfortable to talk about their struggles, whether it’s for them personally or within their families.
“The unions have been advocating for more mental health awareness for years. Our national association has incredible resources. This isn’t just words; we are committed to awareness and action.”
Schiff said ACCNJ’s national organization, the Associated General Contractors of America, has created a Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Task Force because the issues are too important to ignore.
They demand action, Schiff said.
“We’re looking to make safer spaces for people to talk about what it is they’re dealing with — what’s getting them down, what’s causing them to feel anxious, and, unfortunately, what’s making them think of taking their own life,” she said. “We need to find safe spaces for people to talk.”
Here’s how it works:
All unions have employee assistance programs (EAPs) and member assistance programs (MAPs).
“These are internal lifelines for folks to call if they need help,” Schiff said.
There also is the national 988 Lifeline, formerly the 988 Suicide Prevention Line. Changing the name was a big move, Schiff said.
“Mental Health is about more than just suicide,” she said. “It’s anxiety, it’s panic, it’s substance misuse, trauma, loneliness — and just feelings of being overwhelmed. Where do you go? Who do you turn to? How do you find that support?”
Schiff notes the ACCNJ has plenty of links and resources on its website, but she said the effort to connect goes well beyond that.
“Every year on our Safety Day, in addition to finding a specific safety topic — whether it’s heat awareness or fall protection — we always bring up mental health awareness: What can we do better? What can we do to help you as craft workers? How do we make this a better industry where people feel comfortable saying, ‘Do you have a minute to talk,’ and then having somebody on the other end who is actually going to listen,” she said.
“It’s all about changing a culture and providing safe spaces.”
Schiff said the training involves helping workers understand how to help the person next to them.
“We tell them that, when their normally happy-go-lucky buddy might seem a little off, might seem a little distant, might not be their usual cheery self, to just say to them: ‘Are you OK? Do you need a minute to talk?’” she said. “We want to give them that avenue to open up. And you might find out it might not be them; it might actually be somebody at home that they’re worried about.”
Schiff said the unions understand that mental health issues can impact everyone.
“If you bring something to an office space, it may only impact you,” she said. “If you bring something to a construction site, you’re impacting your team.
“Construction is hazardous work to begin with. If your mind’s not all there — if you’re thinking about your daughter who is struggling with anxiety, and you keep checking your phone all day because of it — that’s a problem that impacts the entire team.
“We want to create a workplace where people are there for each other and are able to recognize and realize it’s OK to ask for help.”
