According to data from the CDC, the
construction industry has the highest overdose death rate across
all industries1. Construction workers are
five times more likely to die by suicide than safety-related
issues2. BTEA is uniting the union
construction industry to combat this crisis and save lives.
Legendary Boxer Sugar Ray Leonard and
Professional Football Tight End Darren
Waller will join the week's efforts to combat substance use
disorder, improve mental wellness and break through the
stigma.
BOSTON, April 24,
2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Led by the Building Trades
Employers' Association (BTEA) Northeast and its subcontractor
members throughout New England, building trades unions, general
contractors, developers, and vendor partners will come together to
combat substance use disorder (SUD), build mental wellness, and
educate both labor and management about viable recovery and mental
health resources. The 4th annual week will include
opportunities for training, education, and powerful stories of
recovery from Legendary Boxer Sugar Ray Leonard and Professional
Football Tight End Darren
Waller.
"In our 4th year, we are encouraged by the outreach
we have received to-date, with recovery support evolving into a
year-round effort." said Tom
Gunning, Executive Director of BTEA Northeast. "But we are
still in the middle of a crisis and it is imperative that we come
together to break the cycle. We want to ensure that our workforce
can receive the support they need to work in a safe environment and
in good health."
The 4th Annual BTEA Recovery Week will include the
following events: all are open to the media.
- Monday, April 29: Opening Night featuring the following
guest speakers:
-
- Sugar Ray Leonard, Legendary
Boxer
- Darren Waller, Football Tight
End
- Tuesday, April 30: Women's Wellness featuring
Gail Brenner Nastasia, Gloucester, Massachusetts native, author and
recovery advocate.
- Wednesday, May 1: SUD & Mental Health Trends
featuring Lori McCarthy, LADC, CAI,
Executive Director, and Partner of Herren Wellness
- Friday, May 3: Multi-state standdowns in Boston, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and Connecticut in collaboration with WS
Development, Turner Construction, and the New England Laborers'
Tri-Funds to commemorate the lives lost to the opioid and mental
health crisis.
-
- Legendary Professional Football Captain Matthew Slater will join the Boston, MA standdown.
"This week, and the work being done throughout the year, is
critical to ensuring that our brothers and sisters receive our full
support in tackling the challenge of substance use disorder." said
Shawn Nehiley, General Vice
President of the Ironworkers International "I am a firm believer
that when we show up and work together, we can do anything
including combating this crisis."
New this year, and in response to the Biden-Harris
Administration's White House Challenge to Save Lives from Overdose
as part of President Biden's Unity Agenda efforts to beat the
overdose crisis, BTEA will unveil a year-round effort to provide
complimentary Narcan and mental health training to subcontractor
members and their employees.
Find more information about Building Trades Recovery Week
at: Building Trades Recovery Week | BTEA Northeast
About Building Trades Employers' Association
Northeast
BTEA Northeast serves as the major voice for the
union building trades contractor for all of Massachusetts, New
Hampshire, Vermont,
Maine, Rhode Island, Connecticut, and portions of upstate
New York. For almost one hundred
years, BTEA has made a positive impact on the union construction
industry, while maintaining healthy and prosperous relations
between labor and management.
*Sources:
1. National Vital Statistics Reports Volume
72, Number 7 August 22, 2023
(cdc.gov)
2. Suicide Rates by Industry and Occupation — National Vital
Statistics System, United States,
2021 | MMWR (cdc.gov)
2. https://www.bls.gov/news.release/cfoi.nr0.htm
CONTACT: Jenn Gunning, (203)
999-4984, jenn@btea.com
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SOURCE Building Trades Employers’ Association of Boston and Greater Eastern Massachusetts