Mental Health on Construction Sites

In construction, we talk a lot about physical safety—but mental health often gets left out of the conversation. And yet, stress, anxiety, and depression are rising fast in our industry—now outpacing physical injuries in many cases.

This session helps supervisors recognize the real impact of mental health on the jobsite and gives you the tools to take action. You’ll learn how to spot warning signs, start tough conversations, and support your crew through difficult times. We’ll also explore practical ways to make mental health part of your everyday safety culture.

Sometimes the conversations are awkward—but they can’t be ignored. As a front-line leader, you’re responsible for your team’s well-being, and this course will help you step up with confidence and compassion.

Topics:

• Recognizing red flags and warning signs

• Having the conversation

• The mental health toolbox

• Support for the supporter

• Making mental health part of everyday culture

Up-and-coming and mid-level Supervisors.

Wendy Hofford, WH Strategic Drive Inc.

Wendy is the President of WH Strategic Drive Inc. a facilitation, training and consulting firm specializing in leadership, human resources, and human behaviour in the workplace. Wendy brings her experience as a human resources director and director of operations to organizational leaders from the front line up to senior management. 

Wendy has spent the last nine years working in the construction industry as an HR Director, a national safety officer and a strategic leadership advisor. Prior to that she fulfilled a role as a director of operations in Saskatchewan and Ontario. 

As a professional speaker, trainer and facilitator with the Canadian Association of Professional Speakers, certified speaker and trainer with John Maxwell Leadership and the Gallup Strengths Organization along with a diploma as an adult educator, Wendy shares her skills, education and experience with her audience. Wendy recently published her first book: Rip Off the Bandaid! Have that tough conversation.

Wendy previously held a seat on the Divisional and Advisory Committee for the Construction Safety Association of Manitoba, and on the board of directors for Manitoba Women in Construction. Through engaging, energetic facilitations, presentations and consultations Wendy works to help individuals and organizations develop, grow and be better than they thought they could be.

With Building Supervisors for Tomorrow (BST), up-and-coming and mid-level supervisors gain the knowledge and confidence to move into management roles. BST puts an emphasis on practical knowledge, providing participants with the additional skills and resources needed to excel at new challenges on the job site.

Effective construction supervision requires a wide variety of skills, such as people skills (communication, teamwork, conflict resolution, coaching), technical skills (planning, meetings and delegation), and management skills (human resources and authentic leadership).

This comprehensive program provides it all, and is delivered in manageable segments by industry experts with extensive hands-on experience in construction’s ICI sector. Participants have the flexibility to attend modules in any order. Once participants have completed all 10 courses, including Leadership for Safety Excellence delivered by the Construction Safety Association of Manitoba, they will be awarded a Building Supervisors for Tomorrow (ICI) certificate.