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The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) reports that construction is second only to mining when it comes to suicide rates in American professions. According to a 2020 survey, 83% of construction workers said they had struggled with mental health issues. And data from the National Survey on Drug Use conducted by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Administration found that 12% of construction workers have an alcohol abuse disorder, compared with the national average of 7.5%. 

For all those reasons — and as part of our union’s core values of solidarity and safety — SMART and the Sheet Metal Occupational Health Institute Trust (SMOHIT) started the SMART Member Assistance Program (MAP) approximately 10 years ago.   

“SMART MAP is a program that focuses on mental health,” explained SMART Director of Wellness and Mental Health Support Chris Carlough. “We do some awareness training around … anxiety, depression or substance use, suicide prevention, things like that. And we talk about resources, we help our local unions find resources for their members. And on the back end, we develop and train peer mentors to help support all the members and families that are going through crisis.” 

Watch Chris Carlough and Ben Cort discuss union mental health programs like SMART MAP and Union EAP.

By training union workers to be peer mentors for their fellow brothers and sisters, the program aims to raise awareness, reduce the stigma surrounding mental wellness and create a self-sustaining mental health support system within our union, helping to ensure members have somebody to lean on. Not only that – the three-hour SMART MAP sessions provide members with an avenue to open up about their own experiences.  

“One of the things that really strikes me is how our members really want to talk about this,” Carlough pointed out. 

In addition to SMART MAP, members also have access to an employee assistance program called Union EAP, founded by SMART MAP consultant and subject matter expert Ben Cort.  

“[Union EAP] is based on a premise that our members are asked to do way too much when they’re in a time of crisis: You make a phone call, and you basically end up getting a list back of a bunch of different places that you can call if you want to,” Cort said. “The idea that we had with this was much more of a concierge kind of mental health service. You call, you speak to a clinician, that clinician does a full assessment, understands what’s going on, and then builds an individualized and personal plan for you and for your family. And then we see you through all of it.” 

Alongside Carlough – and as part of his work with the SMOHIT helpline, which provides a resource for members to call when they need assistance – Cort has been taking phone calls from members for the last five or six years, helping direct them to resources and work their way through mental health crises. He said that aspect of his profession is “one of the coolest and most rewarding things in my entire career.” 

The work done by Carlough and Cort – as well as other professionals throughout SMART and SMOHIT – is all part of fostering a union-wide environment that helps SMART members feel comfortable talking about mental health and seeking help when they need it. The more we can provide those union mental health programs, Carlough maintained, the better we will be able to keep our fellow union workers healthy and safe.  

“We don’t necessarily want to talk about it on the jobsite, but when we’re given a safe space to be able to talk a little bit about it, we have our members really opening up on how they’re feeling. How they’re dealing with divorce, for example, what they’re struggling with — whether it’s mental health, substance use,” he said. “We’ve had members express that they have suicidal ideations — and we [can support] them. We have these moments in these trainings [when] I really feel like our union is light years ahead of other building trade unions in this.” 

SMART MAP Coordinator Chris Carlough speaks at the sheet metal Safety Champions Conference.

SMART MAP (Member Assistance Program) mental health sessions have been evolving since they began more than a decade ago to combat the high suicide and substance use disorder rates among construction workers. Participants in the class become SMART MAP mentors as they learn to be mental health first responders — peer counselors able to lend a listening ear and guide fellow SMART members to local resources. 

The three-day sessions offer theoretical as well as practical knowledge and the basic skills necessary for crisis intervention. They also give participants information about substance abuse disorder and relapse, motivational interviewing, confidentiality and ethics, legal issues, marijuana, health insurance and treatment center options, suicide prevention, aftercare programs and how to change the culture of the union and help end the stigma of addiction and other mental health issues. 

While Canadian brothers and sisters have been included in SMART MAP sessions in the past, due to the pandemic, a session hadn’t made its way north since 2018. With some help from Patricia Pike, a Canadian-American dual citizen and CEO and founder CanAm Interventions, the SMART MAP session held in Toronto on March 26-28 provided a tailored presentation. 

“Since we’ve been doing education and training through SMART MAP the last 10 years or so, we’ve had Canadian members attend regular SMART MAP sessions,” said Chris Carlough, SMART MAP coordinator. “It’s not brand new, but the program we delivered this time was specifically designed for Canada.” 

The key to a successful SMART MAP mental health session is a group of participants willing to share their experiences and engage with the speakers. The March class was full of such attendees, with a long waitlist emerging within 18 hours of registration opening. Due to the need, the Sheet Metal Occupational Health Institute Trust (SMOHIT) allowed 57 members to attend the course, nearly double the size of a normal session. 

Typically, having more than 25-30 participants takes away from the course’s intimacy and engagement. Not this time, said Jeff Bradley, SMOHIT program director. 

“It was like a bunch of buddies going out together and talking,” he said. “It was cool.” 

“We’ve had sessions before when you’re trying to pull out words, experiences, thoughts out of the attendees, but Canada wasn’t like that,” added Carlough. “It was a raucous event for three days.” 

SMART MAP mental health sessions are typically held for local leadership, and the SMART MAP team also presents a peer-to-peer session for rank-and-file members. In July, they will be back in Toronto to impart skills and mental health knowledge to members of Local 285. 

“We are doing peer training throughout North America, and we will be present in Canada in 2024,” Carlough said. 

The combination of mental health sessions for leadership and peer-to-peer trainings for rank-and-file members helps bring awareness of mental health and substance use disorder to the entire local, Carlough explained. 

“In the mental health trainings, we’re talking to people in the room directly,” he noted. “But we’re also talking about the people who they’re going to go back and help in their local unions.” 

The success of the session is measured by the knowledge and skills gained and how members use that knowledge to help one another. During the March Toronto session, members developed the confidence to talk about difficult subjects, see different perspectives on addiction, and understand the true definition of self care and useful statistics, according to post-event evaluations. 

“We can put this gained knowledge to use immediately,” one member said. 

Another added: “Everything covered during this session has been well worth it, and I want to thank the team for all the work you do and help that was given to me.” 

The Sheet Metal Occupational Health Institute Trust (SMOHIT) is hosting 12-step, recovery-based Zoom meetings on Wednesday evenings at 8 p.m. Eastern time; 7 p.m. Central time; 6 p.m. Mountain time and 5 p.m. Pacific time. Sessions are designed for union members, and SMOHIT prioritizes privacy and confidentiality above all else. Registration is required to receive the meeting link.

Register here

These recurring meetings are open to all SMART members and their families who have or believe they may have an alcohol, substance abuse or other behavioral addiction problem — all are welcome. The only requirement for participation is a desire to be free of active addiction.

When signing up, you’ll be asked for your union membership number solely for verification purposes, to ensure a secure environment for all participants. (If you are a relative of a SMART member who would like to register, please use their SMART member number.) Your email address will be used exclusively to send the meeting link every month, making access secure, stress-free and convenient for you.

The discussions and interactions within the 12-step recovery meetings are held in strict confidence — what is shared there, stays there. Join SMOHIT and your fellow SMART members in this journey toward wellness, where you can feel secure, respected, and embraced as you share, connect and heal with fellow members.

The Sheet Metal Occupational Health Institute Trust (SMOHIT) Helpline, available 24 hours a day at 877-884-6227 to SMART members and their immediate families, was put in place long before COVID-19 disrupted the world. The idea for the hotline emerged when stressors from an uncertain economy and a slew of natural disasters created financial and personal stress for many. Then, the pandemic brought unprecedented levels of hardship and anxiety, along with feelings of isolation and loneliness, to a workforce already facing significant risk of mental health problems.

One way to address the problems facing members was to expand access to mental health professionals via a helpline. The SMOHIT Helpline has provided a safe and confidential space where members, and/or their families, can talk to a trained mental health professional about their concerns.

According to Jeremy Holburn, who heads the SMOHIT Helpline, SMART recognized that an increase in call volume necessitated an expansion. In response, SMOHIT added a second staffer, J.D. Sparks, to answer calls on the weekends.

Jeremy Holburn, SMOHIT Helpline

“Our call volume is increasing,” Holburn said. “That’s a good thing because we’re reaching more people, and that increase shows a breaking down of mental health stigma. We’re finally getting it through to people that making a call to deal with your mental health is not a sign of weakness.”

Holburn noted the helpline may be just a first step for some people, or it can be a one-time safe space for people to talk out a single issue.

“We’re there to listen and provide support to anyone who is struggling,” he said. “Sometimes, we need to pair a caller with a local healthcare provider, which can take time. Sometimes, we can just provide a sympathetic ear, an authentic safe space for people to talk it out. Situations are unique.”

The SMOHIT Helpline offers immediate support and can be very helpful in crisis situations. The expanded helpline also remains free of charge. Any SMART member can access the service, regardless of their current situation.

One of the benefits of the helpline is confidentiality. Allowing callers to retain their anonymity, Holburn noted, can provide relief to individuals who may feel too embarrassed or ashamed to seek help in person. They may be more comfortable discussing their concerns over the phone or online as a first step. People can feel safe talking about their feelings without fear of judgment or repercussions.

Another benefit of the service is its accessibility. People can reach out from the comfort of their own homes or any other location at any time of the day; however, there may be times when someone is unable to answer right away. Holburn urges people who don’t get their call answered to leave a message if they are comfortable getting a call back – or, if someone is in serious crisis, to call the new 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline (just dial 988), which also provides free and confidential support 24 hours a day for people in distress in the United States.

“Our helpline is a 24/7 helpline, but we’re not a crisis line,” Holburn said. “Sometimes we’re on the line with someone else and cannot break away to answer another call. You need to leave a message or call back a bit later. We will call you back. Crisis lines like 988 get answered immediately. So, for a true emergency, call there.”

One of the biggest benefits of the SMOHIT Helpline is the pairing of resources. The mental health professionals will help get callers connected with local support and can help navigate insurance challenges as well. And until callers can get the local help they need, they can keep checking in with the SMOHIT Helpline staff.

It’s OK not to be OK, and sometimes the first step toward feeling OK again is reaching out to a friendly and knowledgeable voice. SMOHIT’s Helpline is only ten digits away, at 877-884-6227.

America’s Work Force Union Podcast (AWFP) put the spotlight on union sheet metal workers’ mental health during Suicide Prevention Week, bringing on SMART Members Assistance Program (MAP) Coordinator Chris Carlough to discuss how SMART is working to equip members with the tools they need to support one another, whether with substance use or mental health issues. 

“We’ve been doing it nationwide, local by local, since the year before the pandemic,” Carlough said. “[That’s when] we started to really connect with our members and build this peer network.” 

Chris Carlough discusses SMART and SMOHIT’s mental health efforts on SMART News.

Carlough has been a SMART member for nearly 40 years, working as an organizer, education director and now, for the last year and half, as a mental health advocate for SMART members and families. As he told AWFP host Ed “Flash” Ferenc: “I’m an alcoholic, I’m a drug addict, I’ve been in recovery for most of my adult life … I had a lot of people that came and helped me when I was young, I’m actually coming up on 20 years back in the program. So yeah, it’s pretty personal to me, and when I have the opportunity to help people, I try to be that person who helped me so many years ago.” 

SMART’s emphasis on mental health training dates back to Carlough’s time as education director, he said. At the time, there was a need to guide local union leaders through the enormity of the job that they take on when they win election. Jurisdiction, finding and securing work, organizing and the like are all huge parts of the role – but, Carlough explained, local leaders also may find themselves taking phone calls that they’re not accustomed to from members in crisis.  

“If you don’t have any experience in that, what do you do? We wanted to put together some training around that, so we did around 10 years ago. And it didn’t matter how much we were talking about it, the people that we were training wanted more.” 

In the trades, Carlough explained, there often exists a stigma around being vulnerable about mental health – leading many members to struggle with opening up to union brothers and sisters, friends and even family. It’s an issue that affects workers from a wide range of paths, including but certainly not limited to new members who enter the trade with their own past traumas and pain; members who experience isolation and loneliness when travelling for work; members who experience injury on the job and may need to take medication; and many more. 

That makes peer-led training and mentoring vital for members across North America, Carlough said. SMART and SMOHIT have been providing awareness training and education for leaders, instructors, apprenticeship coordinators, organizers and others for years – but the pivot to training rank-and-file members was crucial. Members struggling with substance use or mental health issues, he noted, may not feel comfortable reaching out to their apprentice coordinator or business agent. But they might be willing to talk to – or be approached by – a fellow rank-and-file brother or sister.  

“We’re trying to train as many members as we can – people that have trust and credibility, and who care,” he said. 

As part of the SMART MAP peer training program, instructors train members on early intervention – spotting the signs of a problem and getting people the help they need – as well as navigating logistical details, such as insurance information, and how to follow up with a member in recovery, provide support after treatment and more.  

Overall, Carlough says, members’ response to the new focus on peer training has been “kind of glorious.” Taking care of one another is a core tenet of our union and the labor movement – adding a more specialized skill set and training has only bolstered the ability for members to give each other the support they need. Whether it’s providing more knowledge about which entities and treatment centers to trust, or simply teaching techniques on effective listening, the SMART MAP is helping members strengthen the bonds of solidarity that tie us together – and members have been eager to participate.  

“It’s in our DNA – it’s always been a ‘looking out for your brother and sister’ movement,” Carlough said. “At the center of our hearts, we have that responsibility and that desire to look out for each other.”

For Chris Carlough, SMART Member Assistance Program (MAP) coordinator, the mission is personal.

“I’ve been working with the SMART MAP program for probably about 10 years or so,” Carlough said during an interview with SMART News. “It’s important to me because I’m a guy that’s in recovery from drugs and alcohol, and I see the importance of talking about some of the issues — because people don’t like to talk about mental health.”

The SMART MAP offers mental health awareness and action training, enabling SMART mentors to provide support for members struggling with substance use disorder or mental health issues. The trainings are led by Carlough, who is working to build a compassionate, peer-based support system for members and their families. Carlough brings his own experience in recovery to reach a vulnerable population with a “tough-guy” mentality.

“These trainings start with construction workers who are rough and tumble, who push some of those emotions down,” Carlough said. “‘Rub some dirt on it, pull yourself up.’ And at the end of these trainings, we have members saying they’re going to start doing therapy…and starting to work on some self-care stuff.”

Carlough cited the epidemic of suicide in the construction industry as one of the motivating factors for his work. A CDC study from January 2020 found that the rate of suicides in construction is the second highest in the country: Compared with the national average, a person working in construction is 3.5 times more likely to take their own life.

“A construction worker in this sense is more vulnerable to suicide than they are to the dangers of an actual construction site,” Carlough said. “When we saw that, we realized we needed to talk about this more.” Through the SMART MAP program, Carlough strives to increase dialogue, reduce the stigma and get people the resources they need.

“We’ve been able to pivot over the last few years to peer training,” Carlough said, “which is getting to our rank and file, people on the jobsite or in the shop, and really empowering them to go out there and be peer advocates for their fellow members and getting people to be comfortable to have uncomfortable conversations.”

This important mental health work is being recognized. SMART and SMOHIT received the union award for Mental Health Visionary at the inaugural Construction Working Minds Summit in 2022. In addition, Local 33’s (northern Ohio) Eli Baccus won a Mental Health Champion award in 2022, and Local 18’s (Wisconsin) Craig Holzem is the winner of the same award for 2023.

This work is ongoing and relies on the involvement of all SMART members. Those interested in participating can reach out to their business manager, who can then contact SMOHIT.

For Chris Carlough, SMART Member Assistance Program (MAP) coordinator, the mission to help improve union workers’ mental health is personal. 

“I’ve been working with the SMART MAP program for probably about 10 years or so,” Carlough said during an interview with SMART News. “It’s important to me because I’m a guy that’s in recovery from drugs and alcohol, and I see the importance of talking about some of the issues – because people don’t like to talk about mental health.” 

Watch Chris Carlough discuss SMART MAP and mental health.

The SMART MAP offers mental health awareness and action training, enabling SMART mentors to provide support for members struggling with substance use disorder or mental health issues. The trainings are led by Carlough, who is working to build a compassionate, peer-based support system for members and their families. Carlough brings his own experience in recovery to reach a vulnerable population with a “tough-guy” mentality. 

“These trainings start with construction workers who are rough and tumble, who push some of those emotions down,” Carlough said. “‘Rub some dirt on it, pull yourself up.’ And at the end of these trainings, we have members saying they’re going to start doing therapy…and starting to work on some self-care stuff.” 

Carlough cited the epidemic of suicide in the construction industry as one of the motivating factors for his work. A CDC study from January 2020 found that the rate of suicides in construction is the second highest in the country: Compared with the national average, a person working in construction is 3.5 times more likely to take their own life.  

“A construction worker in this sense is more vulnerable to suicide than they are to the dangers of an actual construction site,” Carlough said. “When we saw that, we realized we needed to talk about this more.” 

Through the SMART MAP program, Carlough strives to increase dialogue, reduce the stigma, and get people the resources they need. 

“We’ve been able to pivot over the last few years to peer training,” Carlough said, “which is getting to our rank and file, people on the jobsite or in the shop, and really empowering them to go out there and be peer advocates for their members and getting people to be comfortable to have uncomfortable conversations.” 

This important mental health work is being recognized. SMART and SMOHIT received the union award for Mental Health Visionary at the inaugural Construction Working Minds Summit in 2022. In addition, Local 33’s (northern Ohio) Eli Baccus won a Mental Health Champion award in 2022, and Local 18’s (Wisconsin) Craig Holzem is the winner of the same award for 2023. 

This work is ongoing and relies on the involvement of all SMART members. Those interested in participating can reach out to their business manager, who can then contact SMOHIT.  

Mental health is one of those things that we don’t want to talk about too much. With so much still unknown about the coronavirus, many people are still depressed, anxious, scared and stressed. We’ve watched how the world has changed during the pandemic, with millions of people losing their lives, and there is still a stigma related to the virus. Wear a mask. Don’t wear a mask. In the beginning, the coronavirus was thought to only affect the elderly population, but now, a year later, we know that to be untrue. Isolation, food and supply shortages were all things we dealt with during the pandemic.
Now the world is starting to open back up after more than a year of being isolated from families and friends. Many people are asking, “How do we ever get back to being normal?” One thing we can do is get vaccinated. Vaccines are now available to all people over the age of 12, and they are reducing the number of COVID-19 deaths and severe illnesses. In fact, 79.5% of those fully vaccinated are people 65 years or older. The COVID-19 vaccine is free to all Medicare beneficiaries.
Even though the pandemic is not over, (with the Delta variant a new concern) it is under better control. Americans are starting to travel again, see family and attend events with larger crowds. While these are good things, some of this news can cause many people to feel overwhelmed. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), “It is natural to feel stress, anxiety, grief and worry during the COVID-19 pandemic.”
Below are ways that you can help yourself, others and your community manage stress:

  • Turn the TV off. Reduce exposure to news stories, which can trigger stress.
  • Eat healthy, go for a walk and get plenty of sleep.
  • Find a new hobby or make time to do an old one.
  • Connect with others either in person or by phone.
  • Connect with your community or faith-based organizations. (CDC, 2021)

While we all wait for the World Health Organization to declare the COVID-19 pandemic over, we must still take proper precautions to ensure safety. If you are unvaccinated, according the CDC, you will still need to wear your mask. Seeing others not wearing a mask may also be stressful because you can’t be sure they are vaccinated.
If you are having trouble managing your feelings or not feeling like yourself, see your doctor or other approved healthcare provider and tell them how you are feeling. Don’t wait until your next annual wellness visit. Even if you don’t feel up to (or ready to face) getting out for a visit, many doctors today are offering telehealth visits. Some Medicare benefits you may not know of include:

  • Yearly depression screening
  • Diagnostic testing
  • Family counseling
  • Psychiatric evaluation
  • Individual and group psychotherapy
  • Medication management
  • Annual wellness visit
  • Caregiver-focused behavioral health risk assessment of their own behavior and health risks, which benefits the patient
  • Cognitive assessment and care planning
  • Drug therapy
  • Drug withdrawal treatment and other substance use disorder treatments
  • Hypnotherapy
  • Initial Preventive Physical Examination (IPPE) to review medical and social health history and provide preventive services education

For more information about your Medicare benefits and how they can help you get help when you’re feeling down, please call Palmetto GBA’s beneficiary contact center at 800-833-4455, Monday through Friday, from 8:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. ET. You are also encouraged to sign up for Palmetto’s email updates. To do so, click “Email Updates” on the top banner on the Palmetto GBA website at www.PalmettoGBA.com/RR/Me to start the process.
If you’d like to read more about the CDC and its information on coping with stress related to the coronavirus, please visit their website: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/daily-life-coping/managing-stress-anxiety.html

Palmetto GBA is the Railroad Specialty Medicare Administrative Contractor (RRB SMAC) and processes Part B claims for Railroad Retirement beneficiaries nationwide. Palmetto GBA is contracted by the independent federal agency Railroad Retirement Board (RRB), which administers comprehensive retirement-survivor and unemployment-sickness benefit programs for railroad workers and their families under the Railroad Retirement and Railroad Unemployment Insurance Acts.

Watch a primer video about COVID-19
United Behavioral Health/Optum offer a free emotional support help line. The help line is available 24/7 and open to the public for as long as necessary, providing access to specially trained mental health specialists to help people manage stress and anxiety so they can continue to address everyday needs.
Callers may also receive referrals to community resources to help them with specific concerns, including financial and legal matters.
Call the United Behavioral Health/Optum help line: 1-866-342-6892
Online resources and information are also available by registering with Optum:
Liveandworkwell.com Coronavirus info: you’ll find information for preparing and recovering from crisis, as well as links to the CDC, Red Cross, and other national organizations.
Liveandworkwell.com Coping Center: Type the keyword “coping” into the search bar, select Coping. Here you’ll find articles, guides, self-help tools and videos on coping with stress.

Optum has announced that they are taking steps to offer assistance to people impacted by the shooting in Las Vegas. Behavioral care advocates are available 24/7 to address any concerns members may have.
Optum is offering a free emotional support helpline for the people impacted. The toll-free number is 866-342-6892 and will be open 24 hours a day, seven days a week, for as long as is necessary. This helpline provides those affected access to specially trained United Behavioral Health (UBH) mental health specialists. This service is free of charge and open to anyone in need.
Along with the helpline, emotional-support resources and information are available online at www.liveandworkwell.com.
Click here for a flyer on the resources available to you.