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Portland, Oregon. Eight of the nation’s leading general contractors have unveiled a groundbreaking initiative to improve mental health and reduce suicide rates in the construction industry. These companies—together representing over $75 billion in annual revenue—have built communities, neighborhoods, and iconic skylines across the Western United States.
In an industry known for building structures that withstand the elements, the toughest challenges are often the emotional ones. The construction industry faces a hidden crisis claiming more lives than workplace accidents ever could.
Alcohol consumption is common in celebrations, social gatherings, and even as a way to unwind after a long day. However, many people don’t realize the impact of alcohol on mental health, sleep quality, and emotional well-being.
My first career was in the restaurant industry, managing restaurants and eventually managing theaters and event venues for a large chain of Oregon brewpubs. I had to leave because I drank too much, and I was like a kid in a candy store. Eventually, I became interested in the substance use recovery field and worked as an addiction counselor and...
I’ve always been passionate about supporting people when they might feel stigmatized or isolated. When I was growing up, my family struggled with poverty. Some of them turned to substances to cope and, even though they were around, I felt alone. The first funeral I ever went to was for a coworker who died by suicide, when I was 16. He was...
The ripple effects of substance abuse and suicide are quantifiable and immense. I know firsthand how difficult it is to lose a loved one to suicide. I’m a suicide loss survivor. My father struggled with extreme mental illness and died by suicide when I was just nine years old. Ten years later, my sister died by suicide. In a lot of different...