Journal of Commerce | Jean Sorensen | September 22, 2025
An international wave of peer support programs within the construction industry is shaping up as the bridge over the stigma that is preventing the “tough-guy” construction worker from seeking mental health, addiction and suicide help.
“Broad awareness exists of union-provided mental health and addictions programs; stigma remains the primary barrier deterring tradespeople from accessing the programs available,” a newly-issued September Canada’s Building Trades Unions (CBTU) report said. “While awareness of support services is high, only 10 per cent have used them.”
The survey of over 1,000 CBTU members reveals nearly half rate their mental health as fair or poor with significant impacts of the work environments. Issues reported include stress (77 per cent), anxiety (62 per cent), burnout (50 per cent), depression (45 per cent) and insomnia (38 per cent). The report also highlights a correlation between job-related pain, substance use as a coping mechanism and barriers to accessing mental health support.
The peer support programs are an earlier link than conventional counselling programs. While forming in Canada and the U.S. today, the concept was first introduced in 2008 in Australia through a program called MATES – an acronym for Men Actively Talking, Engaging and Supporting one other.
The program works by having individuals visit worksites to talk about suicide and mental health and then recruiting volunteers onsite to receive further training to be the peer support person for those needing support and advice.
In B.C., The FORGE, supported by the Construction Foundation of BC (CFBC), is preparing to launch.
“Peer support mirrors the apprenticeship model — learning from those with experience,” The FORGE states on its website.
Jenny Nadeau, CFBC director of outreach and community programs, said The FORGE program reaches out to construction workers where traditional counselling and group therapy fall short.
“They don’t identify with it – it is too foreign – and that is why we have moved to peer support,” she said.
Trevor Botkin, a retired carpenter, is heading up The FORGE peer-support initiative as the CFBC has purchased a former motorcycle group clubhouse that is now being renovated at 2775 Spencer Rd. in Langford in Greater Victoria. Slated to open in early summer 2026, it will serve construction and tradeworkers.
“The building will be hosting recovery counselling both virtual and in person,” said Botkin, adding there will be “peer pros,” individuals who have gone through recovery and an in-house 40-hour training program.
The facility will serve as a hub for individuals in recovery to come together socially, receive free counselling and peer mentorship, aftercare and as well as employment support.
There are currently three peer pros working with the organization but Botkin is training up individuals throughout the province and looking for potential peer pros to step forward. Individuals must have at least a year in recovery so they can mentor others going through substance abuse or mental illness problems.
In December, there will be a peer pros app that individuals can download that provides advice and peer support. The app, downloadable on the website, will feature a list of peer pros with bios and an individual can pick the peer pro to contact and work with.
Botkin said the program will also respond to individuals who know of a fellow worker onsite who is struggling and reach out to that individual to let that person know that supports exist from a peer system.
That outreach is needed, he maintains.
“We are not being shy about this – we have lost too many workers,” he said.
In B.C., studies show 30 to 50 per cent of men who died of opioid-related causes were tradeworkers.
The Newfoundland and Labrador Construction Safety Association has been styling a campaign based on MATES and last year ran a pilot at four different locations.
“The feedback from the pilot was amazing,” said Tammy McCabe, who is in charge of the association’s communications and industry relations.
McCabe is now working to take the program nationally.
MATES organizers go to jobsites to do an hour long presentation on general awareness and how peer support can help an individual struggling.
“We don’t call them counsellors,” said McCabe, stressing the role is to support individuals and help them connect to resources needed.
For the program to work, it needs full support of the employer, job supervisors and acceptance amongst workers.
“There are a lot of pieces to the program,” she said, but she is aware from the pilot result that it is making a difference in lives.
Peer support programs are also emerging in the U.S.
The International Union of Elevator Constructors (Local 1) has its Member Assistance Education Program, which is peer-driven dealing with mental health and substance use.
The program has been able to reduce stigma around mental health and substance use disorders.
LEAN StL, was carried out by the Greater St. Louis Area and Massachusetts Laborers Health and Welfare fund.
The Tarlton Corporation program is based on the MATES program. Research on both the LEAN StL and Tarlton MATES program found both played a significant role in reducing stigma and advancing support for employees.