In this episode of Above and Below, CIASP Executive Director Sonya Bohmann and board member Zulq Malik are joined by Kathy Martin, Workplace Mental Health and Wellness Specialist at the Infrastructure Health and Safety Association (IHSA) in Ontario. Together, they explore the parallels and distinctions between Canadian and U.S. approaches to suicide prevention and mental health support in the construction industry.

Kathy shares insights from the Ontario Construction Industry Suicide Prevention Roundtable, the growing adoption of Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs), and the critical importance of micro-trainings and accessible resources like LivingWorks Start. The conversation dives into the importance of psychological safety, the value of peer support, and what both employers and employees can do today to start building a healthier, more connected workforce.

Whether you’re in Canada or the U.S., this episode is a reminder that the challenges are shared — and so are the solutions.

In this powerful episode of Above and Below, CIASP Executive Director Sonya Bohmann and board member Zulq Malik are joined by Dr. John Gaal, a respected construction industry veteran and leading voice in suicide postvention. Dr. Gaal shares the deeply personal story that shaped his second career and explores how postvention, supporting families, coworkers, and communities after a suicide, is a critical yet often overlooked component of a comprehensive suicide prevention strategy.

Together, they discuss the gaps that still exist in the construction industry, the importance of peer support, and the resources that are beginning to make a difference. From Total Worker Health to cultural shifts across job sites, this episode is a call to action for leaders at every level to build a stronger and more caring construction community.

In Episode 12 of Above and Below, CIASP Executive Director Sonya Bohmann is joined by Cal Beyer (SAFE Project) and Nick Williams (Subcontractors Association of Colorado) for a powerful conversation on the intersection between suicide prevention and substance use in the construction industry.

Together, they discuss:

Why separating these conversations does a disservice to workers

How substance use shows up on the job site

What recovery-friendly workplaces actually look like

The leadership shift from transactional to transformational

Practical tools to support employees before a crisis occurs

This honest and hope-filled episode tackles stigma, language, and the systems that either support or fail our workforce. If you’re a leader looking to create safer, more compassionate job sites—or simply a human who cares about others—this conversation is for you.

Learn more at www.ciasp.org

Substance use. Mental health. Suicide prevention.

These aren’t just HR topics; they’re life-saving conversations that need to happen on every job site.

In this episode of Above and Below, host Sonya Bohmann welcomes Cal Beyer, Senior Director at SAFE Project, for an honest conversation about the realities facing construction workers today and how industry leaders can show up for their teams.

Together, they explore:

Whether you lead a crew or care about someone who works in construction, this episode will leave you better equipped to help and more inspired to act.

In this powerful episode of Above and Below, hosts Sonya Bohmann and Zulq Malik are joined by three guests deeply committed to veteran suicide prevention and workforce integration:

Together, they discuss the urgent intersection between veterans, the construction industry, and suicide prevention. With personal stories of loss and survival, this episode offers raw insights into post-service challenges and the critical role employers can play in creating supportive environments.

They explore:

Why veterans are naturally drawn to construction careers

How to recognize hidden struggles and start meaningful conversations

What small-to-mid-sized construction businesses can do to support veteran mental health

Free, practical tools from Stop Soldier Suicide that anyone can access

This episode is a must-listen for anyone in construction leadership, veteran support roles, or anyone who wants to better understand the human stories behind the statistics.

Resources mentioned:

Stop Soldier Suicide

CIASP

When a suicide happens, what comes next can make all the difference.

In this emotional and informative episode of Above and Below, hosts Sonya Bohmann and Zulq Malik are joined by Michelle Walker, Nicholas DeJesse, and Ismet Dalipi to explore the concept of postvention—and why it’s one of the most critical, yet overlooked, aspects of suicide prevention in construction.

 You’ll hear:

What “postvention” actually means on a job site

How companies often get it wrong—and what to do instead

Why silence can be more damaging than saying the “wrong” thing

The importance of small actions, follow-up, and acknowledgment

Real stories and lessons from leaders who have lived through it

“If you do nothing, you’re reinforcing the stigma. If you say something, you’re reinforcing that you’re human.”

This episode is a must-listen for company leaders, safety managers, and anyone trying to build a culture that stands up—for the living and the lost.

What does it really mean to be “tough” in construction—and how is that mindset harming our workforce?

In this powerful episode of Above and Below, we’re joined by McKay Daniels, CEO of the National Roofing Contractors Association, to discuss the silent crisis of mental health in roofing and the broader construction industry. Together with hosts Sonya Bohmann and Zulq Malik, McKay shares how NRCA is stepping up—removing stigma, raising awareness, and taking action.

The conversation touches on:

The generational pressures that keep workers from speaking up

What it takes to “be tough enough to ask for help”

Why collaboration across trades and associations is essential

The story behind NRCA’s powerful mental health video

Real talk about what gives us hope for change

Whether you’re in the field or the front office, this conversation is for you.

What happens when the pressure becomes too much—and you don’t know how to ask for help?

In this deeply personal episode, Paul Lawson shares his story of mental health challenges, professional burnout, and the breaking point that forced him to finally stop and reassess. From the stigma around vulnerability in construction to the internal shame that often holds people back from getting support, Paul speaks with courage and clarity about the journey to healing.

🔹 Why vulnerability is still taboo in the trades

🔹 How unprocessed trauma and overwork can collide

🔹 The unexpected place Paul found hope again

🔹 What it means to build a life around intention and care

This conversation is raw, reflective, and incredibly important—especially as we head into Suicide Prevention Month.

📍 Listen in and share with someone who may need to hear they’re not alone.

In honor of Minority Mental Health Month, Sonya and Zulk sit down with engineer and construction leader Kwame Ben Eden for a deeply honest conversation about the lived experience of being a person of color in the industry. From growing up in Jamaica and finding identity in Ghana, to navigating systemic bias on job sites across Canada, Kwame shares how perseverance, self-discipline, and mentorship shaped his journey. This powerful episode explores racism, resilience, and what it truly means to lead with integrity in a space that doesn’t always welcome you.

In this episode of Above and Below, hosts Sonya Bohmann and Zulq Malik are joined by Monique Lewis and Loretta Mulberry to explore how language access, cultural sensitivity, and communication shape safety and mental wellness on construction sites.

From bilingual champions and AI translation tools to glossary sheets and onboarding surveys, this conversation dives into real, practical steps contractors can take to build more inclusive and safer job sites. You’ll hear stories, insights, and advice on how simply trying to bridge language gaps can transform company culture and retention from the inside out.

💬 “Your willingness to drop the fear and just try has insane payoffs.”

▶️ Listen now—because language doesn’t just affect communication. It affects lives.