Career Centre, Construction Association partnering to host mental health summit

The Sault Community Career Centre’s Construction Apprenticeship Support Program (CASP) and the Sault Ste. Marie Construction Association are partnering up to host a free mental health summit for construction workers, the Career Centre said in a news release issued today. 

Building Resilience: A Mental Health Summit for the Construction Sector, will take place at Quattro Hotel and Conference Centre on Thursday, Nov. 18 from 6 – 8 p.m. All construction sector employers, workers and job seekers are welcome to attend.  Complimentary food and refreshments will be provided, and door prizes will be awarded.   

According to the release: "Mental health is often referred to as the construction sector’s silent epidemic. According to Statistics Canada, 33 per cent of men in the construction sector report poor mental health.  Another survey suggests that 64 per cent of construction workers want better physical and mental wellbeing support from their employers.  In the US, construction workers have the highest suicide rate compared to every other sector.  

A contributor to these statistics is the stigma surrounding mental health, talking about your feelings and asking for help. The construction sector is mainly male-dominated, and many gender stereotypes still stand in the way of making real change, but the conversation is growing. More and more of the sector’s workers are speaking up about the need for mental health support."

The full release is as follows: 

The Sault Community Career Centre’s Construction Apprenticeship Support Program (CASP) has partnered with the Sault Ste. Marie Construction Association, local construction sector employers and mental health service providers to present Building Resilience: A Mental Health Summit for the Construction Sector.  Hosted by former NHL player Aaron Gavey, this free event will take place at Quattro Hotel and Conference Centre on Thursday, Nov. 1 from 6 – 8 p.m. All construction sector employers, workers and job seekers are welcome to attend.  Complimentary food and refreshments will be provided, and door prizes will be awarded.   

Mental health is often referred to as the construction sector’s silent epidemic.  According to Statistics Canada, 33 per cent of men in the construction sector report poor mental health.  Another survey suggests that 64 per cent of construction workers want better physical and mental wellbeing support from their employers.  In the US, construction workers have the highest suicide rate compared to every other sector.  

A contributor to these statistics is the stigma surrounding mental health, talking about your feelings and asking for help. The construction sector is mainly male-dominated, and many gender stereotypes still stand in the way of making real change, but the conversation is growing. More and more of the sector’s workers are speaking up about the need for mental health support.  

The Building Resilience event aims to increase mental health awareness and remove the stigma that comes with it by shining a light on mental wellbeing, substance misuse, and suicide prevention.  Learn about local mental health supports, network with other sector professionals, and celebrate our local employers working to support their employees.  

Special guest speaker Peter Corbett, Machinist and Professor of Mechanical Trades at Sault College, will discuss the importance of building your own resiliency ‘toolbox.’  Executive Director of the De Novo Treatment Centre Aaron Sinclair and Research Project Coordinator Grace Tiersma will present data from their Research & Tools for the Addiction and Suicide Crisis research project. 

To attend this free event, please RSVP here before Thursday, Nov. 4, 2021. For more information, please contact Melissa Tremblay, CASP Program Administrator, at 705-759-0909 ext. 4228 or email [email protected]. We hope to see you there.   

For over 25 years, the Sault Community Career Centre has provided personalized services to assist job seekers, employers, and newcomers in reaching their professional goals. You can find more information about our free services online and by following us on Facebook and Instagram.