In the trades, trust and teamwork aren’t just helpful, they’re essential. Whether it’s lifting heavy materials, navigating tight deadlines, or staying safe on-site, workers rely on one another every day. That same camaraderie can also be a powerful tool for mental health.

Peer support, where workers encourage, check in on, and advocate for one another, can transform a jobsite into a stronger, more connected, and mentally healthier place to work.

Why Peer Support Matters in the Trades

Mental health challenges are common in blue-collar industries, but stigma often keeps workers from seeking help. According to the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, about five times as many construction workers lose their lives to suicide compared to the general population, and many never speak up about their struggles.

Peer support programs offer a way to break that silence.

Research shows that when support comes from a trusted co-worker, it feels more relatable and less intimidating than formal channels alone. In fact, Mental Health America reports that peer-led mental health programs can significantly reduce stigma, increase engagement, and improve wellbeing, especially in industries with tight-knit teams and strong shared identities.

What Peer Support Looks Like on the Jobsite

Peer support doesn’t require clinical training. It’s about being present, paying attention, and reaching out. On a jobsite, it might look like:

• Noticing when a coworker seems off and asking, “You okay?”
  
  
• Sharing personal experiences with stress, injury, or burnout
  
  
• Encouraging coworkers to take breaks or use available mental health benefits
  
  
• Connecting peers with resources or supervisors who can help
  
  

Some companies formalize this with peer support training or designate mental health champions, workers trained to offer support and guide teammates to resources.

In Canada, the Construction Industry Rehabilitation Plan (CIRP) has implemented peer support programs with strong results. Workers reported feeling more seen and more likely to seek help after talking to a peer who understood their experience.

The Impact of Peer-Led Culture Change

Creating a culture of care through peer support doesn’t just feel good, it has measurable benefits.

• Peer support boosts team morale and retention by creating psychological safety.
  
  
• A 2023 study by the Canadian Mental Health Association found that peer support reduces stress, increases trust, and improves job satisfaction.
  
  
• And according to the National Safety Council, workplaces that promote mental health and peer involvement report fewer safety incidents and greater employee engagement.
  
  

How to Get Started with Peer Support

You don’t need a huge program to start fostering peer support, just intention, trust, and consistency.

Here’s how to build peer support into your culture:

• Train peer leaders. Offer simple training for volunteers on how to listen, check in, and refer others to resources.
  
  
• Normalize conversations. Kick off meetings or toolbox talks with short check-ins or mental health moments.
  
  
• Encourage vulnerability. Leaders and supervisors who share openly create space for others to do the same.
  
  
• Recognize support. Celebrate acts of care and connection—just like you would for safety milestones.
  
  

Conclusion: Stronger Together

In the trades, culture is built in the field, one interaction at a time. By empowering workers to support one another, not just physically but emotionally, we create crews that are more resilient, connected, and safe.

At Nivati, we help companies build cultures of care through peer support training, mental health campaigns, and tools designed for the unique needs of the trades.

Ready to bring peer support to your jobsite? Let’s talk.

‍