As we enter October, National Suicide Prevention Month comes to an end, and Physician Suicide Awareness Day is in the rearview. However, at the Allegheny County Medical Society (ACMS), these conversations continue at the forefront year-round.
The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) sponsors Mental Illness Awareness Week from October 4 – 10. Ending on World Mental Health Day, the week aims to emphasize the importance of emotional well-being and reduce stigma around mental health.
United States trade unions have a history of pushing mental health to the side due to traditional masculine expectations. But in recent years, leaders and members have taken the initiative to speak out and show the importance of prioritizing mental health in these physically and emotionally taxing fields.
David Knipp, also known as Proud Union Guy on social media, is a key advocate for educating union members about mental health and available resources.
“For years, especially among men in the trades, we’ve been taught that asking for help is a weakness,” Knipp said. “We’ll tell somebody to fix their shoulder or see a doctor about their back, but when they’re struggling mentally, we act like they should tough it out. Your brain is part of your body too. There shouldn’t be a different standard.”
The Society for Public Health Education (SOPHE) also recognizes October as National Substance Abuse Prevention Month. The month spreads awareness of the risks of substance use and highlights prevention resources.
According to a 2024 study from American Addiction Centers, of workers in the construction industry 16.5% reported heavy alcohol use, 1 in 7 reported drug or alcohol dependence during the prior year, and 1.3% reported an opioid use disorder, which is almost twice the national average.
Due to routine physical labor, trade workers also have a high chance of injury on the job. The same study from American Addiction Centers shows that 73% of injured workers are prescribed narcotic painkillers.
“This is one reason being part of a union matters,” Knipp said. “Many members have access to health insurance, employee assistance programs, counseling, substance abuse treatment and other resources they may not realize are available. My advice is to find out what your local offers before you need it.”
By seeing physicians, union workers can take care of themselves and receive the help they need. Whether it is for physical injuries, mental health, or addiction support, doctors are supporting laborers and making a huge difference in their lives.
To show thanks, ACMS is continuing the DocTag “Love Your Doc” campaign through National Substance Abuse Prevention Month. The initiative aims to foster a stronger culture of appreciation, connection, and community support for the physicians who care for our region. We encourage our union brothers and sisters to show some love to the many doctors who have helped improve their lives mentally, emotionally, and physically.
Can’t make it to fill out a DocTag in person? Fill out this Google Form to show some love and for a chance to be featured on our social media or website. Plus, a chance to win a $50 gas card courtesy of YaJagoff Media.