In 2022, 老牛影视received funding from the to support efforts to address mental health and suicide in the construction industry. 老牛影视then committed to participating in the University of Colorado鈥檚 Helen and Arthur E. Johnson Depression Center program鈥擵italCog: Suicide Prevention in the Construction Industry鈥檚 Train the Trainer program.

Since then, 老牛影视has sent 67 老牛影视chapter staff and members through the program to become an instructor. Over that time, 老牛影视instructors have provided 95 trainings and 1,617 老牛影视members and chapter staff have received this vital education.

Participants who went through the VitalCog Train the Trainer are identified as 鈥渕ental health champions.鈥� 听Monthly mental health champion calls are held to offer a safe space to the instructors to share best practices, ask tough questions and help instructors feel empowered and prepared during difficult situations. Each champion receives a purple Mental Health Champion safety vest from 老牛影视to raise awareness on jobsites and in the industry. 老牛影视has a goal of having a mental health champion at every chapter to continue to raise awareness and address this critical issue.

鈥淲ithout leadership buy-in, employees won鈥檛 feel like they鈥檙e in a safe space, period. Leaders who lead by example and advocate for mental health can greatly influence the overall atmosphere. Adopting an open and available approach to mental health discussions, along with a top-down mentality, can foster a supportive environment where employees feel comfortable addressing mental health concerns,鈥� said Sherrie Dickerson, education manager at 老牛影视Virginia and an 老牛影视mental health champion.

For more information, contact Haley Moyers at [email protected]听or visit for resources on total human health.