09.25.2024
Addressing Mental Health Stigma
Understanding that mental health concerns affect many individuals, especially in the construction industry, Faith Technologies Incorporated (FTI) puts a high priority on supporting mental health. It’s critical we recognize the importance of whole person health and well-being and change the conversation around mental health. All year round, we want our team members to understand it’s okay to not be okay, and the workplace can be a key location to offer support for one’s mental health and well-being. As we recognize National Suicide Prevention Month in September, we’ve shone an extra light on the steps we can all take to ensure each person knows that they matter.
At FTI, we’ve invested in building a culture that focuses relentlessly on safety, and we realize mental and emotional well-being go hand-in-hand with safety. If you don’t have your mind in the right place, you’re not able to accomplish your full potential and you could put yourself at a higher risk for injuries.
Knowing that the construction industry has higher suicide rates and mental health concerns than most other industry groups, we strive to take a proactive approach to mental health care versus being reactive, ensuring our people have access to proper support resources and mental healthcare when they need it. We want individuals to access mental healthcare just like they would for any other health concern they have.
FTI’s Culture of Care focuses on the overall well-being and safety of our team members, encouraging team members to bring their whole selves to work – mind, body and soul. We strive to create a supportive, inclusive and healthy work environment by enabling a caring, stigma-free culture.
FTI has incorporated mental health check-ins into our daily operational risk management (ORM) process on jobsites, as well as during meetings or one-on-one conversations. Our monthly time off benefit, Time to Recharge, gives team members an additional two hours off per month to focus on their wellbeing.
We also continue to evaluate our programs and offerings, working to ensure we make enhancements and improvements based on team member needs and feedback. A change we made this year based on direct team member feedback, was transitioning to a new, enhanced Employee Assistance Program (EAP), with expanded mental health services for our team members and their families. It offers instant access to individualized care, from self-guided programs and mental health coaching to therapy and medication management; care options that align with personal preferences and lifestyles, including in-person, video conferencing, and text messaging; and 24/7 access to an in-house care navigator team to help guide their mental health journey.
We also offer mental well-being training for team members with guidance on understanding mental health conditions, spotting the warning signs of mental health concerns in yourself and others and reducing stigma surrounding mental health.
As we recognized Suicide Prevention Month in September, FTI encouraged team members on our jobsites and locations across the country to observe one minute of silence on September 9, during the nationwide stand-down for Construction Suicide Prevention Week, to honor all lives lost to suicide. FTI team members were also provided with t-shirts that say loud and proud, You Matter. These shirts symbolize FTI’s Culture of Care and our commitment to mental health awareness and suicide prevention. Wearing them serves as a symbol of hope and a reminder that support is available through the National Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 988. It’s a declaration that FTI is there to support our team members and that by coming together, we can make a difference.
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