Wellness
MERIT Contractors Association is working to End the Stigma around Mental Health.
JOIN US FOR THE "JUST ONE MORE DAY" SPEAKING TOUR FEATURING COREY HIRSCH OCTOBER 4TH & 5TH
“Corey is a former NHL goaltender, coach and an Olympic Games silver medalist. But most importantly, he has opened a conversation to end the stigma around mental health.
In 1994, just three years after being drafted by the New York Rangers, Corey both won a silver medal and drank from the Stanley Cup as a member of the Rangers’ championship team. What no one knew was that Corey tried to take his own life that same year.
Months later, he was traded to the Vancouver Canucks and went on to play 100 more NHL games, before finishing his career in Europe. The entire time, Corey struggled with his mental health issues. When he could no longer play due to debilitating panic attacks and severe weight loss, he finally reached out to his team trainer. Corey was eventually diagnosed with obsessive compulsive disorder and got the lifesaving treatment that he needed.
Corey would go on to coach goaltenders with the Maple Leafs and Blues, before joining Sportsnet Radio to do colour commentary for the Canucks.
In February 2017, Corey wrote a piece for The Players’ Tribune, sharing publicly his mental health diagnosis and suicide attempt. His story sparked important conversations within hockey and beyond, as more athletes began to open up about mental health.
Today, Corey is an advocate in the battle to end the stigma around mental health. He is an engaging speaker that educates, motivates, and inspires his audience. He gives hope to others struggling by showing vulnerability and letting people know they are not alone.”
It’s no secret that declining mental health has reached epidemic proportions.
The very nature of construction lays the groundwork for mental illness. Workers are often taken away for weeks at a time from the familiarity of their home environment and support of their social circle. Their jobs are typically high stress with safety and avoiding catastrophic events a constant concern. Physical labour and long hours lead to increased strain on the body and the mind.
It’s time to pursue a shift in how we view mental health in our industry. If we ever want to achieve “Mission Zero” we need to re-focus our attention on the physical AND mental wellbeing of our workforce.
That’s the premise behind WORK WELL, a concept that recognizes the importance of mental wellbeing as a key component to worker safety. We have begun the process of integrating a WORK WELL culture into the fabric of the construction industry.
HOW CAN WE HELP YOU PROMOTE MENTAL WELLBEING?
Introducing the Workplace Wellness Program, developed by our partners in BC, the ICBA. This program is a year-long, resource filled experience aimed at supporting both employers and employees on their journey to enduring mental wellbeing
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HolisticAddressing diverse, inter-connected themes that collectively influence employee wellbeing |
Ongoing and InclusiveCompanies sign on for a full year, creating shared momentum that can truly influence workplace culture |
Developed by ExpertsThe program was developed and is delivered with the support of leading content experts |
Construction FocusedDesigned for the construction sector, the program delivers information in easy-to-access and relatable ways |
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