Above & Below

What does it take to build real community in construction? In this episode of Above and Below, Sonya Bohmann sits down with Dr. Elyse Dubb, a psychologist and founder of Inside Onsite Mental Wellness, to explore how trust, vulnerability, and shared values can help foster safer, more connected job sites. From music as a stress reliever to the power of asking “How are you—really?”, this conversation offers simple, actionable tools for leaders and peers alike. If you’ve ever wondered how to support your team’s mental health without big budgets or formal programs, this episode is for you.

In this episode of Above and Below, hosts Sonya Bohmann and Zulq Malik sit down with Sarah and Matthew Cottam for a raw and deeply personal conversation about addiction, recovery, and the family bonds that helped them through it.
 
Matthew shares his experience navigating substance use while working in the trades, often hiding in plain sight while struggling with internal battles. Sarah opens up about the power of unconditional love, and the moments that tested their trust, communication, and resilience.
 
Together, they reflect on what it means to truly support someone through recovery, how stigma keeps too many people silent, and why sharing stories like theirs is essential to breaking down shame in the construction community.
 
This episode is a testament to vulnerability, strength, and the impact of choosing connection over judgment.

In this episode of Above and Below, CIASP Executive Director Sonya Bohmann and board member Zulq Malik are joined by Kathy Martin, Workplace Mental Health and Wellness Specialist at the Infrastructure Health and Safety Association (IHSA) in Ontario. Together, they explore the parallels and distinctions between Canadian and U.S. approaches to suicide prevention and mental health support in the construction industry.
 
Kathy shares insights from the Ontario Construction Industry Suicide Prevention Roundtable, the growing adoption of Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs), and the critical importance of micro-trainings and accessible resources like LivingWorks Start. The conversation dives into the importance of psychological safety, the value of peer support, and what both employers and employees can do today to start building a healthier, more connected workforce.
 
Whether you’re in Canada or the U.S., this episode is a reminder that the challenges are shared — and so are the solutions.

In this powerful episode of Above and Below, CIASP Executive Director Sonya Bohmann and board member Zulq Malik are joined by Dr. John Gaal, a respected construction industry veteran and leading voice in suicide postvention. Dr. Gaal shares the deeply personal story that shaped his second career and explores how postvention, supporting families, coworkers, and communities after a suicide, is a critical yet often overlooked component of a comprehensive suicide prevention strategy.
 
Together, they discuss the gaps that still exist in the construction industry, the importance of peer support, and the resources that are beginning to make a difference. From Total Worker Health to cultural shifts across job sites, this episode is a call to action for leaders at every level to build a stronger and more caring construction community.

In Episode 12 of Above and Below, CIASP Executive Director Sonya Bohmann is joined by Cal Beyer (SAFE Project) and Nick Williams (Subcontractors Association of Colorado) for a powerful conversation on the intersection between suicide prevention and substance use in the construction industry.
Together, they discuss:
Why separating these conversations does a disservice to workers
How substance use shows up on the job site
What recovery-friendly workplaces actually look like
The leadership shift from transactional to transformational
Practical tools to support employees before a crisis occurs
This honest and hope-filled episode tackles stigma, language, and the systems that either support or fail our workforce. If you’re a leader looking to create safer, more compassionate job sites—or simply a human who cares about others—this conversation is for you.
Learn more at www.ciasp.org

Substance use. Mental health. Suicide prevention.
These aren’t just HR topics; they’re life-saving conversations that need to happen on every job site.
 
In this episode of Above and Below, host Sonya Bohmann welcomes Cal Beyer, Senior Director at SAFE Project, for an honest conversation about the realities facing construction workers today and how industry leaders can show up for their teams.
 
Together, they explore:
The link between substance use and suicide in the construction industry
Why recovery belongs in safety conversations
How tools like naloxone can save lives
What it means to be a recovery-friendly workplace
Practical steps companies of any size can take to reduce stigma and support change
 
Whether you lead a crew or care about someone who works in construction, this episode will leave you better equipped to help and more inspired to act.

In this powerful episode of Above and Below, hosts Sonya Bohmann and Zulq Malik are joined by three guests deeply committed to veteran suicide prevention and workforce integration:
Scott Wiesner, Founder & CEO of C2MS and retired Army Colonel
Greg Wuestner, Director of Engineering at QTS and former Infantry Officer
Hayley Emerson, National Fundraising Specialist at Stop Soldier Suicide
Together, they discuss the urgent intersection between veterans, the construction industry, and suicide prevention. With personal stories of loss and survival, this episode offers raw insights into post-service challenges and the critical role employers can play in creating supportive environments.
They explore:
Why veterans are naturally drawn to construction careers
How to recognize hidden struggles and start meaningful conversations
What small-to-mid-sized construction businesses can do to support veteran mental health
Free, practical tools from Stop Soldier Suicide that anyone can access
This episode is a must-listen for anyone in construction leadership, veteran support roles, or anyone who wants to better understand the human stories behind the statistics.
Resources mentioned:
Stop Soldier Suicide
CIASP

When a suicide happens, what comes next can make all the difference.
In this emotional and informative episode of Above and Below, hosts Sonya Bohmann and Zulq Malik are joined by Michelle Walker, Nicholas DeJesse, and Ismet Dalipi to explore the concept of postvention—and why it’s one of the most critical, yet overlooked, aspects of suicide prevention in construction.
 You’ll hear:
What “postvention” actually means on a job site
How companies often get it wrong—and what to do instead
Why silence can be more damaging than saying the “wrong” thing
The importance of small actions, follow-up, and acknowledgment
Real stories and lessons from leaders who have lived through it
“If you do nothing, you’re reinforcing the stigma. If you say something, you’re reinforcing that you’re human.”
This episode is a must-listen for company leaders, safety managers, and anyone trying to build a culture that stands up—for the living and the lost.

What does it really mean to be “tough” in construction—and how is that mindset harming our workforce?
 
In this powerful episode of Above and Below, we’re joined by McKay Daniels, CEO of the National Roofing Contractors Association, to discuss the silent crisis of mental health in roofing and the broader construction industry. Together with hosts Sonya Bohmann and Zulq Malik, McKay shares how NRCA is stepping up—removing stigma, raising awareness, and taking action.
 
The conversation touches on:
The generational pressures that keep workers from speaking up
What it takes to “be tough enough to ask for help”
Why collaboration across trades and associations is essential
The story behind NRCA’s powerful mental health video
Real talk about what gives us hope for change
 
Whether you’re in the field or the front office, this conversation is for you.

What happens when the pressure becomes too much—and you don’t know how to ask for help?
 
In this deeply personal episode, Paul Lawson shares his story of mental health challenges, professional burnout, and the breaking point that forced him to finally stop and reassess. From the stigma around vulnerability in construction to the internal shame that often holds people back from getting support, Paul speaks with courage and clarity about the journey to healing.
 
🔹 Why vulnerability is still taboo in the trades
🔹 How unprocessed trauma and overwork can collide
🔹 The unexpected place Paul found hope again
🔹 What it means to build a life around intention and care
 
This conversation is raw, reflective, and incredibly important—especially as we head into Suicide Prevention Month.
 
📍 Listen in and share with someone who may need to hear they’re not alone.