Wellness Workdays, a national wellness solution provider for the construction industry, recently introduced a new training program called BRAVE: Building a Toolbox for Mental Health & Safety. This new training program is a response to the increasing mental well-being challenges being experienced by the construction industry.
The construction industry continues to top the list of high-risk sectors that experience high proportions of suicide, drug and alcohol problems, and those with untreated mental illness episodes per population in the United States. The challenges and risks that exist within the construction industry, as well as the culture that does not promote the discussion of emotional well-being, have produced the silent crisis.
BRAVE is organized around a very specific and practical framework, which guides the individual to Be aware, Reach out, Actively listen, Validate and inform, and Encourage. It is designed to focus on early intervention and peers supporting workers to go beyond being aware of things and do things when they notice signs of distress in their workmates.
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“Mental health is safety,” said Debra Wein, CEO and Founder of Wellness Workdays. “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.”
Conducted face-to-face by licensed behavioral professionals who understand the needs of a safety-driven environment, BRAVE encompasses active construction site examples, role-playing, and group discussions. The individuals are trained to recognize the indicators of mental trouble or substance abuse, follow the process of the BRAVE action step, address privacy and cultural competence, refer employees to professionals, and deal with personal emotional well-being after a difficult encounter.
This training can be completed over two two-hour sessions or during one half-day workshop, with aid of predesigned tests before/after training sessions and a training completion certificate. BRAVE was designed by a team of professionals working together with mental health professionals, safety specialists, as well as project teams in the construction industry. This program has already been adopted by a number of top general contractors in the country.
