Episode 35: It Doesn’t Make You Any Less: Breaking the Silence on Mental Health in Construction
41:48 · Above & Below · 2026-09-21
What happens when the person trusted to move the heaviest loads is quietly carrying an unbearable one? In this episode of Above and Below, Sonya Bowman and Zulq Malik speak with crane operator, union business agent, and mental health advocate Chris about his experiences with depression, anxiety, and alcohol—and the long road toward accepting help. Chris explains how his father’s persistent, judgment-free support helped him take the first step and why sharing his story has become part of his own healing. Together, they explore the stigma surrounding mental health in construction, the importance of checking in with coworkers, and the responsibility leaders have to make these conversations part of everyday safety culture. They also discuss therapy, employee assistance programs, naloxone, 988, and a new NJIT initiative designed to connect workers and their families with potentially life-saving resources. It’s an honest, hopeful reminder that asking for help does not make anyone less capable and that a genuine “Are you okay?” can change, or even save, a life.