Mental Health

May is Mental Health Awareness Month. 

Let’s break the stigma by building awareness.

May is Mental Health Awareness Month, and the Associated Builders & Contractors NH/VT (ABC NH/VT) is proud to announce the launch of "Breaking the Stigma", a series of workshops aimed at promoting mental health awareness and well-being within the construction industry.

Taking place every Wednesday throughout the month of May, "Breaking the Stigma" will feature engaging and informative presentations on various topics related to mental health and total human health. These sessions will cover critical areas such as substance use disorders, suicide prevention, psychological safety on the jobsite, and hard hat health.

"We are committed to breaking the stigma surrounding mental health within the construction industry," said Jennifer Landon, VP of Education and Workforce Development, ABC NH/VT. "The Breaking the Stigma Series is designed to provide valuable insights, resources, and support to ABC members, fostering a culture of well-being and safety in the workplace."

Key Details

  • Time: 11:30 am - 12:30 pm (EST)
  • Platform: Zoom
  • Cost: $100 per company grants access to each week's presentation for the entire staff
  • Register your company at abcnhvt.org/calendar or call 603-226-4789
  • Although most presenters reference New Hampshire in their presentations, the take-aways know no borders. Due to the personal nature of topics, we will not be recording these sessions. 

Session Topics

May 8 11:30 – 12:30 (EST)
Life Interrupted

Life Interrupted is an educational presentation given by trained presenters who have had their own lives interrupted due to the mental illness of a family member or a loved one. By speaking about their own experiences, the presenters address mental illness stigma and educate communities about mental illness, the impact of supporting a loved one, and the resources that are available for support.

This presentation is intended:

  • To help audiences understand the family perspective on mental illness.
  • To reduce the stigma associated with mental illness and to demonstrate that family recovery is possible.
  • To encourage hope for families that are affected by mental illness.
  • To educate communities about NAMI NH, its philosophy, services, and the benefits it provides to families.

Life Interrupted presentations are free and available to any group or organization in NH interested in learning more about mental illness and the support and education that NAMI NH provides. Participants from other states are encouraged to attend and reach out to their local NAMI organizations to learn more about the services and resources they provide

Presented by: Cheryl Guerin, Associate Vice President for Human Resources at Dartmouth College and on the Board for NAMI NH

May 15 11:30 – 12:30 (EST)
Recovery-Friendly Workplaces

Becoming a Recovery-Friendly Workplace offers numerous benefits for employers, employees, and society. These benefits include enhanced employee well-being, improved productivity, reduced turnover, and positive economic impacts. It also promotes a more inclusive and supportive work environment, fostering a culture that values recovery and reduces stigma associated with mental health and substance use disorders. It is not only a retention and recruitment strategy – it’s the right thing to do. This presentation addresses:

  • Recovery-friendly workplaces prioritize employee mental health, leading to a more engaged and productive workforce.
  • Supporting employees in recovery can increase job satisfaction and loyalty, leading to lower turnover rates. 
  • By addressing mental health and substance use issues, employers can create a more productive and efficient work environment. 
  • Becoming a recovery-friendly workplace can improve the company's reputation and brand image, attracting and retaining talent.
  • By addressing underlying issues, employers can reduce healthcare costs associated with mental health and substance use. 
  • Recovery-friendly workplaces can expand the pool of qualified candidates, including individuals who may have struggled with substance use disorders or mental health issues. 

Presented by: Pam Carbee, Granite State College in Behavioral Science and a graduate certificate in Community Mental Health, Jr., PMP, ITIL, Managing Partner, Organizational Ignition, LLC

May 22 11:30 – 12:30 (EST)
Stigma Free – Suicide Prevention

The Stigma Free presentation will raise awareness about mental health stigma, its impact on employees and employers. It also focuses on the importance of fostering mental health awareness, support, and community within organizations, equipping companies with resources to create stigma-free environments where employees can thrive.

Presented by: Susan Ward,  Suicide Prevention and Postvention Manager at NAMI NH.

May 29 11:30 – 12:30 (EST)
Lived Experience

Eli's wife was attacked and injured in their front yard by a man with a knife who tried to cut her throat. Eli ran down, disarmed, and rendered the attacker unconscious. Eli's wife was pregnant with their 4th child at the time of the attack. He stopped working during the trial and combined with the results of the trauma to the family, he fell into a deep depression culminating in the decision to die by suicide.

Eli is now a facilitator for Vital Cog, a "Mental Health Champion" at Zachry, and just finished co-chairing the Construction Working Minds Summit for suicide and substance abuse prevention. He recently started sharing the story to give hope to those who are suffering.

Presented by: Eli Embleton, Dream Manager for Zachry Construction