3RD ANNUAL
CONSTRUCTION WORKING MINDS SUMMIT

A Holistic Approach To Job-Site Safety

SCAFFOLDING AND SCALING

Reaching All with Construction Mental Health Promotion, Suicide Prevention,
and Addiction Recovery

Hosted by:

 
 
 
 

Summit Goals

  1. To connect the dots among other wellbeing, health and safety priorities and mental health (e.g.,

    DEI, physical health, etc.)

  2. To share lessons learned in building industry capacity and scaling implementation

  3. To strengthen strategic alliances across the movement and establish collaborative partnerships

Pre-conference DETAILS

Pre-Conference Day 1: Monday, February 26th
THE EYE OF THE SURVIVOR STORYTELLING RETREAT
At JE Dunn Headquarters
1001 Locust Street, Kansas City, MO 64106

Feb 27, 2024 - Fox 4 News: National summit in KC focusing on mental health, safety in the workplace

Pre-Conference Day 2: Tuesday, February 27th
At the Westin Kansas City at Crown Center (downtown)
1 E Pershing Rd, Kansas City, MO 64108

Tuesday Social Hour: Tuesday, February 27th
At Holmes Murphy
1828 Walnut Street, Kansas City, MO 64108

Pricing
Eye of the Survivor Storytelling Retreat
$600
Pre-Conference Full Day
$600
Pre-Conference Half Day
$300

Note: Pre-conference registration does not include main summit sessions, please register for that separately if you wish to attend the main summit.

Summit DETAILS

Summit: Wednesday - Thursday, February 28-29
At the Westin Kansas City at Crown Center (downtown)
1 E Pershing Rd, Kansas City, MO 64108

Awards & Networking Gala:
Wednesday, February 28th
At Union Station
30 W Pershing Road, Kansas City, MO 64108

Pricing:
$500

Note: Summit registration does not include pre-conference sessions, please register for that separately if you wish to attend the pre-conference.

(Eventbrite fees not included in pricing)

AGenda

Pre-Conference Day 1
Monday, February 26th
At JE DUNN

Catered lunch served from 12:30-1:00 pm at location
Pre-conference registration does not include main summit sessions, please register for that separately if you wish to attend the main summit.

Time

Presentation Title

Location

8:30 am - 5:00 pm

THE EYE OF THE SURVIVOR STORYTELLING RETREAT
Your Hero's Journey About Surviving Suicide - How To Tell Your Story Safely And Effectively
Presented by: Dr. Sally Spencer-Thomas, Mental Health Advocate & Sarah Gaer, MA, Master Trainer

JE Dunn
Headquarters
1001 Locust Street
Kansas City, MO 64106

PRE-CONFERENCE DAy 2
TUESDAY, February 27th
At The Westin

Pre-conference registration does not include main summit sessions, please register for that separately if you wish to attend the main summit.

Time

Presentation Title

 
Breakfast Buffet served from 7:00-8:00 am in Roanoke Foyer.

Half-Day Workshops

8:00 am - 12:00 pm

The Brain, Addiction, and Implications for the Construction Industry
Presented by: Neil Gaer, MPA
Room: Pershing Place East

1:00 pm - 4:30 pm

Harm Reduction in the Construction Industry: A Comprehensive Approach
Presented by: Neil Gaer, MPA
Room: Pershing Place East

Full-Day Workshops

Boxed lunch served from 12:30-1:00 pm in Roanoke Foyer.

8:00 am - 4:30 pm

 

Recovery First Aid Certification: Education Your Workforce on Substance Use Disorder (SUD)
Presented by: Richard Jones, Youturn Health
Room: Liberty

 

VitalCog in Construction Train-The-Trainer Certification Course
Presented by: Dr. Sally Spencer-Thomas, Mental Health Advocate & Alex Yannacone, Helen and Arthur E. Johnson Depression Center
Room: Roanoke & Penn Valley

Psychological First Aid
Presented by: Sarah Gaer, MA, Master Trainer
Room: Shawnee

Humannovations
 

Peer Allies in Construction - Basic Training
Presented by: Eduardo Vega, M.Psy, Humannovations
Room: Westport

Resilience-To-Thriving: The Secret Power of Stress
Presented by: Dr. Joel Bennett, Organizational Wellness & Learning Systems & Dr. John Gaal, Missouri Works Initiative’s Worker Wellness Program
Room: Mission

5:00 pm - 6:30 pm

 
 

Holmes Murphy Social Hour
At Holmes Murphy, 1828 Walnut Street, Kansas City, MO 64108

SUMMIT
WEDNESDAY, February 28th

Summit registration does not include pre-conference sessions, please register for that separately if you wish to attend the pre-conference.

TIME

PRESENTATION TITLE

WESTIN KanSas City

7:00 am - 7:30 am

All Recovery Meeting: 12-Step Meeting
Presented by: Rich Jones, Youturn Health

President Room

7:00 am - 8:00 am

Registration & Breakfast

Century Foyer

8:00 am - 8:30 am

Welcome & Opening Remarks
Presented by: Dr. Sally Spencer-Thomas, Mental Health Advocate, Sonya Bohmann, Construction Industry Alliance for Suicide Prevention
Opening Experience, “Straws and Sticks” by: Marshall Jones, MindBodySpeak

Century Ballroom

8:30 am - 9:20 am

Opening Keynote
Turn Trauma into Triumph
Presented by:  David Moody, Moody Construction

Century Ballroom

9:20 am - 9:25 am

Toolbox Talks
Tutorial by: Kabri Lehrman-Schmid, Hensel Phelps

Century Ballroom

9:25 am - 10:25 am

 The H.O.P.E. Certification Program
A Strategic Approach to Mental Health Promotion, Suicide Prevention, Addiction Recovery and Overdose Prevention : Outcomes of H.O.P.E. Certification Implementation in New York and Colorado
Panel: Dr. Sally Spencer-Thomas, Mental Health Advocate, Chris Lalevee, IUOE Local 825, Katie Urtnowski, CNY, Bojana Mirkovic, Encore Electric, Inc, Ali Matuszak, MTech, Robert Barrett, Saunders
Research Team: Dr. Jodi Jacobson Frey, University of Maryland, Dr. Annette Shtivelband, Research Evaluation Consulting, Dr. Megan Rogers, Texas State University

Century Ballroom

10:25 am - 10:30 am

Toolbox Talks - #1 Presentation
Paul Lawson, Mid-City Electric Co.

Century Ballroom

10:30 am - 11:00 am

Break

 

11:00 am - 12:00 pm

  • 1: Culture of Care and Psychological Safety - “Guardians of Safety: A Dive into Mental Health”
    Presented by: Jeffrey Spatz, Graham Company, Brenda Doern, Onyx Fire Group
    Room: Liberty

    2: (PANEL) Innovations in Mental Health Promotion - Bouncing back after a Work Injury: Applications of the Science of Resilience
    Presented by: Sarah Grace, Travelers
    Room: Shawnee Mission

    3: Suicide Prevention - Hope Through Action
    Presented by: Dr. Andy Walmsley, Clinical Psychologist
    Room: Pershing East West

    4: (PANEL) Physical and Environmental Root Causes for Mental Health Challenges: “Scaffolding Succes: Scaling Mental Health Support in Military-to-Civilian Transitions”
    Presented by: Micheal J. Hazard, Veterans in Piping Program, Jose G. Ballejo, US Army Veteran, Rachel L. LaBlance, USMC Veteran
    Room: Roanoke

    5: Substance Use Disorders and Addictive Behaviors: Developing a Dynamic COALture: The Four Keys to Leveraging Authenticity for Explosive Growth
    Presented by: Eduardo Vega, M.Psy, Humannovations
    Room: Pershing North South

12:00 pm - 1:30 pm

Lunch & Exhibits

Century Foyer

1:30 pm - 1:35 pm

Toolbox Talks #2 Presentation
Ralph Fierro, CNY Group

Century Ballroom

1:35 pm - 2:30 pm

Afternoon Keynote
Building Resilience: Constructing Pathways to Promote Mental Health
Presented by: John Dahunsi, Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)

Century Ballroom

 

  • Overview:
    The presentation will address mental health promotion, suicide prevention, addressing addiction recovery in the construction industry. We will discuss the specific mental health challenges that construction workers face, the need for a supportive workplace, and share practical ways to promote mental health. Participants will be presented with strategies and techniques aimed at enhancing mental well-being. The goal is to empower attendees with knowledge and tools to foster healthier, safer workplaces.

    Learning Objectives:
    -To identify and understand the unique mental health challenges that construction workers encounter, including factors that contribute to these challenges.

    -To explore and advocate for the development of a supportive workplace culture that prioritizes mental health.

    -To provide participants with evidence-based strategies and practical techniques to promote mental well-being including suicide prevention and addiction recovery.

2:30 pm - 2:35 pm

Toolbox Talks #3 Presentation
Omar Galindo, UA Plumbers 78

Century Ballroom

2:35 pm - 2:50 pm

Research on Vitalcog in Construction

Century Ballroom

2:50 pm - 2:55 pm

Toolbox Talks #4 Presentation
Brian Murphy, Type Trades Training Center 393

Century Ballroom

2:55 pm - 3:00 pm

Toolbox Talk: LIVE Voting

Century Ballroom

3:00 pm - 3:20 pm

Break

Century Ballroom

3:20 pm - 4:20 pm

Fireside Chat: Bridging the Gap of Understanding About Mental Health at Work
Presented by: Melissa Doman, Organizational Psychologist & Author, Kabri Lehrman-Schmid, Hensel Phelps, Ricky Reams, Murphy

Century Ballroom

4:20 pm - 4:30 pm

Closing Remarks

Century Ballroom

6:00 pm - 9:00 pm

Gala Celebration & Award Ceremony
"Turning Pain into Purpose -- From Leadership Burnout to Mental Health Advocate"
Presented by: Justin Azbill, Milwaukee Tool

Union Station

Thursday, February 29th

TIME

PRESENTATION TITLE

WESTIN KanSas City

7:00 am - 7:30 am

All Recovery Meeting: 12-Step Meeting
Presented by: Rich Jones, Youturn Health

President Room

7:00 am-7:50 am

Round Table Discussion
Cultivating Peer Groups to Maintain your Inner PPE
Presented by: Justin Azbill, Milwaukee Tool

Pershing East West

 

  • This session will help individuals gain knowledge of processes and tactics that have worked well over the past several years in maintaining Peer Groups for both Veterans and Safety Professionals employed in the Construction Industry. Peers Groups offer their unique lived experience with mental health conditions to provide support focused on advocacy, education, mentoring, and motivation. Peer Groups can play many roles in support for people living in challenging conditions and play a pivotal role in helping others realize they are not alone. The goal of this session is to pass on information that can assist with starting a Peer Group for support.

    Session Topics:
    -Planning the topic of discussion for the week.
    -Challenges of both small and large groups virtually.
    -Being prepared for serious scenarios.
    -Proactive vs Reactive topics – challenging your Peer Group members in a positive method.
    -Learning and supporting vs diagnosing (challenges of feedback)

7:00 am-7:50 am

Round Table Discussion
Alliance for Naloxone Safety in the Workplace
Presented by: Brandon Anderson, AGC of Missouri

Pershing North South

 

  • Our mission is to equip businesses, organizations, and their employees with the necessary tools to effectively address opioid overdoses in the workplace. Join as we discuss the current state of the industry, the challenges before us and the resources available; how you can take proactive action to address this challenge.

7:00 am - 8:00 am

Registration & Breakfast

Century Foyer

8:00 am - 8:15 am

Welcome Back, Set the Day
Presented by: Dr. Sally Spencer-Thomas, Mental Health Advocate & Sonya Bohmann, Construction Industry Alliance for Suicide Prevention

Century Ballroom

8:15 am - 9:15 am

Opening Keynote
Bridging Lived Experience with Peer Support and Evidence-Based Research: How We Pull It Together
Presented by: Dana Piscopo, Oracle Global Industries / Recovery Coach

Century Ballroom

 

  • Overview:
    Dana shares her story of substance use recovery and using that to create two peer support groups within her company. Recently chairing a Mental Health in the Construction Industry study, she brings together peer support and evidence based research and, while different, can work together.

    Learning Objectives:
    -Creating space within a company to be that point of contact for resources, direction, and information.

    -Understanding the boundary of advice vs support.

    -The three most common issues causing mental health challenges in the construction industry.

9:15 am - 10:15 am

Soul Care in Construction
Facilitator: Sarah Gaer, MA, Master Trainer
Panel: Phillip Kelley, Purpose-Driven Coaching, Tony Guagliardo, Marketplace Chaplains, Alanna Marklund, United Association Canada

Century Ballroom

10:15 am - 10:45 am

Break

 

10:45 am - 11:45 am

  • 1: Culture of Care and Psychological Safety: Connecting Minds and Structures: The Pivotal Role of Leadership in Mental Health
    Presented by: Dr. Charlie Cartwright, Pioneer iQ
    Room: Liberty

    2: Innovations in Mental Health Promotion: “Rethink The Drink: Creating Constructive Conversations Addressing Alcohol Misuse in Construction”
    Presented by: Max Margolis

    3: (PANEL) Suicide Prevention - Hope Through Action
    Presented by: Ann Marie Dale, PhD, OTR/L, Professor, Jonathan Davis, PhD, Research Assistant Professor, Bradley A. Evanoff, MD, MPH, Chief of the Division of General Medical Sciences, Diane S. Rohlman, PhD, Associate Dean for Research
    Room: Pershing East West

    4: (PANEL) Physical and Environmental Root Causes for Mental Health Challenges: “The need to talk and ask for help!”
    Presented by: Joey Tominovich, Aldridge Electric
    Room: Roanoke

    5: Substance Use Disorders and Addictive Behaviors: “Developing a Dynamic COALture: The Four Keys to Leveraging Authenticity for Explosive Growth”
    Presented by: Phillip Kelley, Purpose-Driven Coaching
    Room: Pershing North South

11:45 am - 1:00 pm

Lunch & Exhibits

 

1:00 pm - 2:00 pm

Afternoon Keynote
Presented by: Chris Trahan Cain, The Center for Construction Research and Training

Century Ballroom

2:00 pm - 2:15 pm

Break

 

2:15 pm - 3:15 pm

  • 1: (PANEL) From Talk to Action: Journeys of Support
    Facilitator: Christi Pilutik
    Presented by: Cathy Emerson, Encore Electric, Albert Flores, Zachry Construction, Marcus Mattox, BuilderFax (formerly Skanska), Joe Schultz, JE Dunn, Zeke Smith, Apache Industrial
    Room: Shawnee Mission

    Attendee Takeaways:
    • Anyone can inspire change within an organization
    • Building leadership buy-in is a key step towards organizational change
    • Creating mental health support, suicide prevention, and opioid prevention programs take time and are a journey – it doesn’t happen overnight

    2: (PANEL) Suicide Prevention - Hope Through Action
    Presented by: Vibrant Emotional Health
    Room: Pershing East West

    3: Substance Use Disorders and Addictive Behaviors
    Presented by: Sober Sidekick
    Room: Pershing North South

3:15 pm - 3:25 pm

Break

 

3:25 pm - 3:40 pm

Lifetime Recipient Achievement Award Presentation
Cal Beyer, CWP, VP, Workforce Risk and Worker Wellbeing

Century Ballroom

3:40 pm - 4:40 pm

Closing Keynote
Presented by: Brandon Anderson, AGC of Missouri &
Jen Massey, Safety, Health and Environmental Administrator 

Century Ballroom

 

  • The Power of Gratitude

    In the fast-paced world of construction, where deadlines loom large and stress is a constant companion, finding moments of gratitude may seem like an afterthought. However, in this captivating keynote, Brandon Anderson shares his transformative journey guided by the profound power of gratitude.

    Drawing from personal experience and navigating the tumultuous waters of suicidal intensity, Brandon explores the pivotal role gratitude played in not only survival but in thriving amidst adversity. Through raw and authentic storytelling, Brandon uncovers how embracing gratitude became the cornerstone of resilience, offering a beacon of hope in the darkest of times.

    Brandon delves into the heart of the construction industry, where the pressures of productivity, safety, and efficiency often overshadow the importance of mental well-being. Here, he sheds light on the transformative potential of gratitude, not just as a fleeting emotion, but as a catalyst for profound cultural change.

4:40 pm - 4:50 pm

Closing Remarks & Raffles
Presented by: Dr. Sally Spencer-Thomas, Mental Health Advocate & Sonya Bohmann, Construction Industry Alliance for Suicide Prevention

Century Ballroom

4:50 pm - 5:00 pm

Closing Experience
Presented by: Marshall Jones, MindBodySpeak

Century Ballroom

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