MAP

September 2026: Suicide Prevention Month

Suicide is a leading cause of death in the United States and Canada, and workers in the construction industry are impacted at higher-than-average rates. With construction having one of the highest rates of suicide among all industries, we must recognize suicide prevention as a critical occupational health and safety effort.

The Bricklayers' Member Assistance Program (MAP) highlights Suicide Prevention Month with a special focus on Construction Suicide Prevention Week to break the stigma, encourage early intervention, offer hope, and share critical, life-saving resources. MAP has the following message for our BAC brothers and sisters in need: you matter, your wellbeing matters, you are not alone, and help is available.

While the reasons behind suicide are not simple, our message could not be more straightforward: your journey isn't over. There is a theme that emerges in stories of hope and recovery: to keep going. Relief happens, and healing is possible.

For 24/7 suicide or crisis intervention for yourself or someone you're worried about, call, text, or chat 988.

For confidential help from a specialist who grasps the realities you may face as a worker in the trades, or to get quickly and easily connected to treatment or other support services, contact BAC MAP at 1-833-MAP-TALK (1-833-627-8255), Monday-Friday, 8am-7pm ET.

For more, please visit the following links:

Additional resources:

If you or someone you know is experiencing a life-threatening emergency, please call 911. You may also obtain immediate 24/7 help from the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline by calling 988.

This website is for general educational purposes and does not constitute legal or medical advice.

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March 17-23, 2025: National Drug and Alcohol Facts Week

Addiction is a commonly misunderstood disease, which results in persistent stigma and ineffective health responses. Debunking myths around substance use and addiction is a critical part of prevention, intervention and recovery. In support of our members who may be at risk of or are living with a substance use condition, the BAC Member Assistance Program (MAP) is committed to raising awareness and promoting productive, fact-based conversations around drug and alcohol use.

To better understand the facts about how the addicted brain works, click here to watch a short video from Yale Medicine.

Click here to get the myths vs. facts on addiction.

If you or a loved one are in need of substance use support, guidance or treatment, please contact BAC MAP at 1-833-MAP-TALK (M-F, 8am-7pm ET). You may also click here to access a treatment locator.

If you or someone you know is experiencing a life-threatening emergency, please call 911. You may also obtain immediate 24/7 help from the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline by calling 988.

Stronger Standards, Safer Workers: The Fight Against Silica Dust

Construction workers face various hazards from fall risks to heat illnesses, however, no hazard may be more difficult to spot than silica dust. Unlike more visible dangers on a jobsite, silica dust often lingers in the air unnoticed, making it particularly dangerous. Before the BAC and other unions helped to push the 2016 Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) silica safety standard, around 2 million construction workers in the US alone were being exposed to crystalline silica annually. This widespread exposure meant that a significant portion of the workforce faced long-term health risks simply by performing everyday job tasks, often without realizing the severity of the danger.

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Prevailing Wages: Myth vs. Fact

Prevailing wages on federally funded construction projects have not only stabilized local wage rates and labor standards for local wage earners and local contractors, but also prevented low-road contractors from bringing in low-rate workers from out of state. Even though the Davis-Bacon Act serves as a pillar holding up workers' rights, organizations like Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) have shared myths about the benefits of prevailing wages.

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MAP

Minority Mental Health Awareness Month

Differing cultural perspectives on mental health, barriers or limited access to care, historical trauma, and inequitable policies can all add invisible weight. Minority Mental Health Awareness Month is an important time for education and advocacy, and to reaffirm a commitment to ensuring that all construction workers are seen, heard, and understood.

The Bricklayers' Member Assistance Program (MAP) is a place to talk to someone who grasps the pressures of the job and who can provide culturally responsive support and guidance. BAC MAP will help you get connected to the resources that work for you, no matter your background or story. We encourage all BAC members and their loved ones who are seeking mental health help to get in touch by calling 1-833-MAP-TALK, M-F, 8am-7pm ET.

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News

BAC ADC 1 Summer 2026 Newsletter

The History of America has always been tied to the dignity of work. From roads and bridges to schools, hospitals, homes, and commercial buildings, union craftworkers have played an essential role in building and maintaining the foundation of our country. As BAC members, we continue teat proud tradition every day through our skill, dedication, and commitment to excellence.

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May is Mental Health Awareness Month, and the BAC is here to support members who may need the following message more than ever: it's okay to not be okay.

When facing hardships, it's important to know that you have not failed, and you are not alone. BAC MAP is a resource that can confidentially help members and their loved ones address their mental health needs, allowing for opportunities to lead happier, more fulfilling, and peaceful lives. To connect with BAC MAP, please call 1-833-MAP-TALK, M-F 8am-7pm ET.

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MAP

International Alcohol Awareness Month

International Alcohol Awareness Month is an opportunity to evaluate one's relationship with alcohol, and to explore paths forward should there be a call for change.

BAC MAP stands in support of members who may need help for challenges related to alcohol use. If you or a loved one are in need, please contact 1-833-MAP-TALK for confidential help.

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