In this episode of the Blue Collar Future Podcast, hosts Jaden Robison and Jessie Demler tackle one of the most overlooked issues in the construction industry — mental health.

They break down practical ways to take care of your mental health, support your crew, and focus on what really matters: being present, showing up, and leading by example.

🧠 Key Takeaways

• The construction industry has one of the highest suicide rates of any profession.

• Tough guy culture leads to bottled-up emotions instead of real conversations.

• Communication is the foundation for improving mental health at work.

• Vulnerability builds stronger leaders and healthier teams.

• Personal development is a lifelong tool for resilience.

• Recognizing signs of distress can save lives.

• Creating supportive environments creates ripple effects across the crew.

• Staying focused on today is key to building balance and peace of mind.

• Sharing your story helps others open up.

• Self-improvement isn't one big moment — it's consistent effort.

⏱️ Chapters

(00:00) – The Tough Guy Culture and Mental Health (02:59) – Recognizing the Mental Health Crisis in Construction (05:53) – Breaking the Silence: Opening Up About Struggles (08:50) – The Importance of Vulnerability and Communication (11:59) – Personal Development and Self-Care Strategies (14:48) – Creating a Supportive Environment (17:55) – Proactive Approaches to Mental Health (23:23) – The Power of Positive Thinking (29:54) – Focusing on the Present (32:55) – Taking Action and Creating Ripples (36:46) – Building Resilience Through Small Steps (40:34) – Helping Others and Sharing Your Journey