March has already been a busy month for CSPP outreach events. I want to share more about two that stand out.
On March 1st, CSPP presented at the Asphalt Paving Association of Oregon’s Paving Conference and Safety Symposium. Max lead a panel discussion on mental health and suicide prevention and its integral role in safety culture on job sites. The panelists were Dwight Holton, Lines for Life’s CEO, Sheri Sundstrom, Workforce WellBeing Director for Hoffman Construction, and Mark Poe, Rocky Mountain Construction, a pavement professional with a lived experience of depression.
The conversation centered around building community and support for workers with practical tools. These tools included: QPR training, spaces where workers can interact with each other, and having leaders normalize conversations around mental health. After the panel discussion, we distributed flyers, hard hat stickers, and t-shirts.
Last week, CSPP hosted a table at the Governor’s Occupational Safety and Health (GOSH) conference. I made many new contacts with people across the industry, working to create healthier, safer, and more inclusive workplaces. Our materials resonated with people, and many shared stories about how suicide and substance use has impacted their lives.
I was honored that they shared their stories with me and that our table created a space for these conversations. The whole experience reaffirmed to me the purpose of CSPP’s work.
Max was on a panel at GOSH to discuss mental wellness, well-being, and suicide prevention in the workplace. Steven Frost, our QPR liaison, did a fantastic job coordinating the panel. Thank you to Anna Meiners, Nick Brodnicki, Debra Darmata, and Nichole Guilfoy for participating in the discussion.
I finished the conference supporting Steve Frost’s last QPR training of the week. I shared materials and provided support. The training was very well attended, and Steve received rave reviews.
Overall, it was a very successful week! I am looking forward to attending and participating in upcoming conferences, including the Construction Working Minds conference in Kansas City during the last week of March.
