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Join LDCA's three-part series to address construction's silent struggle: poor mental health, which is estimated to cause more harm than physical risk. This initiative assists H&S and HR professionals in developing an understanding of mental health in our industry and a toolbox of effective resources. Participants who complete all three sessions will have free access to the Mental Health First Aid Certification course.
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2026-01-26 to 2026-03-18
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When:
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Monday January 26th
7:30 am Breakfast, Speakers at 8 am
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Where:
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LDCA
331 ABERDEEN DR
LONDON, Ontario N5V 4S4
Canada
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Contact:
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Kerry Rajotte
kbrajotte@ldca.on.ca
5194535322
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« Go to Upcoming Event List
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| To improve mental health of our workforce LDCA will work with members Health &Safety and HR professionals to become more aware, develop a toolbox of effective resources, learn the science behind mental health and its impact on our industry. We expect this strategy will better equip members to make a material improvement in our workforces’ mental health. |  | Mental Health Matters: Constructions' Silent Struggle | | A three, half-day series of presentations by local Mental Health Experts beginning January 26th, 2026, with additional presentations in February and March. (dates to be determined) | | This event is free and registration is open to Health and Safety and Human Resources professionals only. | | Participants who attend all three sessions will be given free access to the Mental Health First Aid Certification course presented by Opening Minds. (a $325 value) | | | | EVENT SPONSORSHIP AVAILABLE | Session One - january 26, 2026 | Presenter: Kathy Marten, Mental Health and Wellness Specialist at IHSA | | Kathy Marten serves as the Mental Health and Wellness Specialist within the Stakeholder and Public Relations Department at the Infrastructure Health & Safety Association (IHSA). Since joining in 2021, her core mission has been to develop IHSA's mental health strategy and support the organization in promoting individual well-being in the workplace. She is recognized for leading the initiative to partner with the Mental Health Commission of Canada to customize The Working Mind program specifically for the trades (including construction, transportation, and electrical utilities). This customization involved tailoring videos, scenarios, and language to ensure the program highly resonates with and effectively addresses the unique mental health challenges faced by trade workers. Her work focuses on equipping the industry with evidence-based training to reduce stigma and improve mental health literacy. | Session Two - February 2026 | Presenter: Connie Elis, Director of Mental Health, EllisDon | | Connie Ellis is the inaugural Director of Mental Health at EllisDon. Her appointment signals a strategic shift to prioritize psychological health alongside physical safety in the construction industry. Key Responsibilities and Focus: Strategic Leadership: Ellis leads EllisDon's deep commitment to creating a workplace where mental health is supported, valued, and embedded into the company's culture. Industry Advocacy: She currently chairs the mental health subgroup of the Construction Safety Association. Action and Strategy: She focuses on prevention, education, and leadership, asserting that mental health should be central to how EllisDon leads, supports, and works together. Culture Change: Her goal is to normalize mental health conversations in the construction workforce where stigma remains high. She emphasizes the necessity of treating psychological safety with the same seriousness as physical safety.
Ellis emphasizes that the company is "putting our time, money, and effort where our mouths are" to ensure psychological safety is felt in the workplace. | Presenter: Dean Astolfi, Vice President, Supportive Housing & Program Development, CMHA Thames Valley Addiction and Mental Health Services | | Dean Astolfi currently serves as the Vice President of Supportive Housing and Program Development at the Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) Thames Valley Addiction and Mental Health Services (TVAMHS). He is a key member of the Executive Leadership Team, focusing on supportive housing, mental health, and addictions. Key Focus and Accomplishments: Program Development: With over two decades of experience, Dean is a strategic innovator in developing new programs and solutions that adapt to the community's needs. Housing Initiatives: He leads the largest community response to the housing crisis in London by chairing the Housing Implementation Table for the London Health and Homelessness Initiative. His leadership was instrumental in creating London's first Highly Supportive Housing Plan. HART Hub: Dean has been a leading voice in launching the Homelessness and Addiction Recovery Treatment (HART) Hub, which aims to provide immediate support, treatment, and a continuum of services for individuals seeking stability. Supportive Housing Expansion: Through strategic acquisitions and leveraging assets, he and his team successfully support approximately a thousand units of Supportive Housing across the regions they serve.
This video features Dean Astolfi discussing the new HART Hub coming to London. Dean Astolfi on the New HART Hub |
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