A new employee is trying to figure out how to log into the company training portal again, someone got a splinter from a pallet, a driver called out sick, and three trucks backed up to your dock to be unloaded at the same time, one with an appointment and two without.

Everything Leon Garrett owned fit inside a single trash bag. He had one outfit, one backpack and a cellphone charger for a belt.

During a particularly heavy time in my own life, I received two pieces of advice that really helped me. One was, “Ride it out.” Don’t bury your feelings, as that will just prolong your situation. 

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For MCAA, the message is straightforward: Mental health and suicide prevention belong alongside every other safety and health priority affecting our workforce.

In the trades, strength, reliability and hard work are valued traits. But mental health is just as important as physical health. Work demands, family responsibilities, financial pressures and everyday stress can all affect mental well-being.

Schizophrenia affects more than 3 million adults in the United States, yet many people don’t know what schizophrenia or psychosis looks like — or what to do when they notice changes in someone they care about.

In the trades, most owners learn a simple lesson early: Good work gets rewarded with more work. You start out in the field. You solve problems. Customers trust you.

Upon entering my office at work, you’ll see a placard with the following succinct statements: Be impeccable with your word. Don’t take anything personally. Don’t make assumptions. Always do your best.

People working in the plumbing and water industries solve problems every day, often under pressure. They are called when something fails, when a customer needs answers or when a job has to be completed safely.