May is an incredibly significant month, not just for the Indy 500 races, graduations or the long-awaited sunshine. BMWC, along with thousands of other contractors appreciates May for both safety and mental health, which go hand-in-hand. From May 6-12, we celebrated Construction Safety Week and for the whole month the nation recognizes May as Mental Health Month.

Our company is directed by a strong commitment to the growth, development and empowerment of our people. So, we appreciate the chance to talk about safety and mental health to break the stigma, offer support and learn about the issues people face in their work and home lives. A study from the University of Melbourne has shown that 1 in 5 construction workers struggles with mental health issues. It’s easy to see 1 as a number, but these are people we work side by side with each day.

Last week for Safety Week and Mental Health Month, the Ohio team invited Bob Swanson, a suicide prevention advocate for the National Alliance of Mental Illness (NAMI), to come and share on the topic of mental health. Swanson has been dedicated to raising awareness, since he lost his own son to suicide in 2009. He has been telling his story to make a difference, and to educate groups across the country about the reality of suicide and importance of mental health.

The group appreciated his message and learned a great deal about mental health. Thank you Bob Swanson, for speaking with our team!