In July, ICBA Wellness gets back to the foundation of our program: focusing on mental health amidst work. Three pieces of advice really stand out.

➕ Overcoming Negative Thinking: Negative thoughts exacerbate depression and anxiety. Recognize and challenge these thoughts. Strategies include acknowledging, ignoring, restructuring, and practicing mindfulness. Treat mental health as seriously as physical health.

🤝 Building a Support System: A robust support system of family, friends, or colleagues is essential. Diverse support networks and regular communication strengthen mental health. Let people know how to support you, creating mutual benefits.

🌅 Setting Boundaries: Setting boundaries reduces anxiety. Identify what drains you and protect your well-being. Use “I” statements to set limits without confrontation. Regularly reassess boundaries. Dedicate personal time, avoid stressful discussions, and create separate workspaces.

More to come this month!

Each week, ICBA’s Jordan Bateman reflects on what we’ve learned as we participate in ICBA’s Workplace Wellness Program. ICBA’s Workplace Wellness Program is helping more than 100 companies and more than 10,000 construction professionals better understand mental health. This program is free for all ICBA members – check out icba.ca/wellness for details.