IAM Midwest Territory and Minnesota IAM District 77 staff undergo Mental Health First Aid training to better identify, understand and respond to signs of mental illness and substance use disorders in the workplace.
Members of the IAM Midwest Territory staff were recently certified in Mental Health First Aid as General Vice President Steve Galloway prepares to expand training throughout the Territory.
“Our union is doing everything we can to combat issues that plague us as a country – and subsequently spill into the workplace,” said Galloway. “The IAM is attacking from all angles. We have the IAM Employee Assistance Program (EAP) and the IAM Transportation Department’s Critical Incident Response Team (CIRT). IAM International President Bob Martinez has expanded CIRT training to IAM representatives in every Territory. We’ve also launched our new Addiction Services Program.
“Mental Health First Aid is one more tool in the toolbox. This training will help our representatives better identify, understand and respond to signs of mental illness and substance use disorders in the workplace. The training will give representatives the skills they need to reach out and provide initial help and support to a member who may be developing a problem or experiencing a crisis. It’s one more way of ensuring our members and their loved ones continue to live their best lives.”
This past spring, Galloway appointed Grand Lodge Rep. Rick Mickschl and Education Rep. Joe Gruber to attend a week-long Mental Health First Aid train-the-trainer course. Mickschl and Gruber, now certified as instructors, are conducting 8-hour trainings throughout the Territory.
The IAM Midwest Territory and Minnesota IAM District 77 staff were the first two groups to undergo the training.
“Myself and my staff underwent the training, and I can tell you it’s eight hours of intense, sometimes difficult coursework,” said Galloway. “The feedback we’ve gotten so far is phenomenal. We look forward to more as we make our way throughout the Territory.”
