Mental Health Awareness Week

May 5-11, 2025

Mental Health Awareness Week: Let's Make a Difference

In the trades, we pride ourselves on resilience, hard work and looking out for one another. But sometimes, challenges like mental health struggles and substance use can go unnoticed - or worse, unaddressed. During Mental Health Awareness Week, we're coming together to break the stigma and foster a culture of care, safety, respect and support.

This series of resources offers tools, stories and actionable steps to start meaningful conversations, recognize signs of distress, and provide help where it's needed. Let's keep our promise to each other: if you see something, say, something.

How to Use These Resources

Each resource in this series is designed to spark conversations and foster a culture of mental health awareness and support in the workplace. Here's what you’ll find in each:

Engaging Stories: Real-life experiences that resonate with workers in the trades, bringing to light the challenges of mental health and substance use.
Interactive Elements: Discussion questions that encourage honest dialogue and reflection, empowering teams to connect and support one another.
Practical Tools: Handouts and actionable advice to equip your workforce with the skills to recognize, respond to, and support colleagues in need.
Call to Action: A shared commitment to "keep your promise" by recognizing the signs, starting conversations, and making a difference together.

By using and sharing these resources, you are not just raising awareness—you’re equipping your team with the tools they need to foster a safer, more supportive workplace. Let’s break the stigma together.

Download Resource

It's Good to Talk: Kirk's Story

Mental health struggles often go unseen, especially in the trades. This resource features Kirk's story, highlighting the power of social support and the importance of reaching out to a colleague in need.

Start the conversation. Make a difference.

Download Resource

Help a Buddy Unmask - It Could Save a Life

Sometimes, the people who look fine on the outside are those struggling the most. This resource highlights how recognizing changes in mood or behavior could save a life. Learn how to spot the signs of someone in need and the power of asking, “Are you okay?”

Be the reason someone feels seen and supported.

Download Resource

Mental Health First Aid: Panic Attack

Pressure, long hours, and stress can hit hard in the trades. This resource shares a worker’s real story about experiencing a panic attack on-site and highlights the importance of speaking up and supporting one another.

Keep your promise: if you see something, say something.

Download Resource

RU OK? Tackling Stigma in the Trades

Breaking down the stigma surrounding mental health and substance use is a shared responsibility. This resource offers simple ways to start a conversation and support coworkers who may be struggling.

Let's create a work environment where everyone feels safe to ask for help.

Download Resource

Bullying and Harassment at Work: It’s Personal

Everyone deserves to feel safe and respected at work. This resource emphasizes the critical role we each play in fostering a respectful workplace. Learn how to recognize harmful behaviors, support colleagues, and take action to uphold a culture of safety and respect.

Let’s make a difference together.

Download Resource

Lighthouse: On the Edge

Suicide prevention begins with awareness and action. This resource spotlights the importance of recognizing signs of suicide risk, starting tough conversations, and fostering a culture of care.

Let’s break the stigma together and save lives.

Download Resource

Jordan's Story: A Lesson for Us All

Mental health challenges can affect anyone, and in the trades, substance use often becomes a silent struggle. Watch Jordan's powerful story of how substance use impacted his life and the lives of those around him. Learn how recognizing the signs and taking action can save lives.

Let’s keep our promise to look out for each other.

Download Resource

Building Hope: Substance Use in the Trades

In the trades, long hours, injuries, and stress can take their toll, leaving workers vulnerable to substance use challenges. This resource sheds light on the realities faced by workers and highlights the transformative power of peer support and speaking up.

Let’s keep each other safe—not just physically, but mentally too.

Download Resource

Logan's Story: Keep your Promise

Addiction is real in the workplace, and how we respond can save lives. Watch the powerful story of a young welder who asked for help but didn’t receive the support he needed. Learn how to recognize when someone is struggling and how small actions can make a big difference.

Be the person who says, “I’ve got you.”

Looking for More Support?

Mental health and substance use challenges don’t have to be tackled alone. IHSA is here to provide help, resources, and free training to support workplaces in fostering a culture of awareness, respect, and care. Whether it’s mental health resources or tools to address substance use, visit IHSA’s workplace mental health hub to access valuable support and training opportunities. Together, let’s continue building healthier, safer workplaces.

If you have any questions, concerns or suggestions please reach out to IHSA's Kathy Martin, Coordinator Research, Stakeholder & Public Relations | Mental Health & Wellness Specialist at kmartin@ihsa.ca.

Sincerely,

Michelle Roberts

Vice President, Stakeholder & Public Relations

IHSA

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