September is Suicide Prevention Month and September 9-13 is Construction Suicide Prevention Week. This is a time to share resources to seek help and to de-stigmatize mental health. Our goal at the Funds Office is to ensure that members and their families have the resources they need to obtain care for their emotional wellbeing.
Our employee assistance program, Lyra Health, offers educational articles, coaching and therapy. Local 4 members covered under the Health and Welfare Plan are eligible for 8 free sessions of coaching and therapy per plan year at no cost, after that a $15 copayment applies. Contact Lyra at 844-926-2482 or click on Lyra Health. You can also obtain mental health services through Blue Cross Blue Shield in-network providers with a $15 copayment. To find a therapist, login at the Blue Cross Blue Shield site at MyBlue Healthcare Insurance Plan | Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts (bluecrossma.org) or contact Blue Cross Blue Shield at 888-389-7764 Monday through Friday from 8:30-4:30. The attached flyer provides information if you have concerns about alcohol or drug use Local-4-Substance-Use-Factsheet.pdf (local4funds.org)
If you are experiencing a mental health crisis, call 911 or to the nearest emergency room. If you are thinking about suicide or if you have a friend, family member or coworker who are you are concerned about, contact the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline by calling or texting 988. You can also chat online at 988lifeline.org.
Additional crisis resources are listed here.
