Canada and U.S. construction industries are experiencing a cultural shift as peer support programs emerge as powerful tools to reduce the stigma around mental illness, addiction, and suicide among tradespeople.
Stigma Remains the Biggest Barrier
According to a September report from Canada’s Building Trades Unions (CBTU), while awareness of union-led mental health and addiction programs is high, stigma prevents workers from using them. The survey of 1,000 members found:
- Nearly half rated their mental health as fair or poor.
- 77% reported stress, 62% anxiety, 50% burnout, 45% depression, and 38% insomnia.
- Many turn to substance use as a coping mechanism, linking workplace pain to addiction.
The Rise of Peer Support in Construction
Peer support differs from traditional counselling. Instead of professional therapists, trained workers support fellow workers directly on job sites. This approach began in Australia in 2008 with the MATES program (Men Actively Talking, Engaging and Supporting) and is now spreading internationally.
Programs recruit volunteers from job sites, provide them with training, and encourage open conversations about mental health, suicide, and recovery.
The FORGE in British Columbia
One major Canadian initiative is The FORGE, supported by the Construction Foundation of BC (CFBC). Scheduled to open in 2026 in Langford, Greater Victoria, it will:
- Provide free counselling (in-person and virtual)
- Offer peer mentorship and aftercare
- Serve as a social hub for recovery
- Connect workers to employment support
The program trains “peer pros” — workers who have at least a year in recovery — to guide others. A peer support app will launch in December, allowing tradespeople to connect with peer mentors directly.
Trevor Botkin, a retired carpenter leading the initiative, stressed the urgency:
“We are not being shy about this – we have lost too many workers.”
Alarming Numbers in B.C.
Studies show that 30–50% of men who died from opioid-related causes in British Columbia were construction workers, highlighting the urgent need for programs like The FORGE.
Expansion in Newfoundland and Labrador
The Newfoundland and Labrador Construction Safety Association has adapted the MATES model, running pilots across four job sites in 2023. Feedback was overwhelmingly positive, and plans are underway to expand the program nationally.
Peer Support in the U.S.
Several U.S. programs are also making strides:
- The International Union of Elevator Constructors (Local 1) launched a peer-driven assistance program focusing on mental health and substance use.
- The LEAN StL initiative and the Tarlton Corporation’s MATES-inspired program have shown measurable success in reducing stigma and improving support networks.
Why Peer Support Works
Peer support resonates with construction workers because it mirrors the apprenticeship model — learning from someone who has lived through the same struggles. Unlike traditional therapy, which many workers view as “too foreign,” peer programs provide relatable, trusted support.
Moving Forward
For these initiatives to succeed, employers, supervisors, and workers must fully support them. Early evidence shows peer support programs not only reduce stigma but also save lives, making them a vital part of the construction industry’s future.