Building Trades Wellness Coalition Offers Peer Support Scholarships
Date Posted: June 23, 2026
Posted In: Organizations, Workforce,
The St. Louis Building Trades Wellness Coalition has launched a new training scholarship program. It is aimed at expanding peer support, mental health awareness, substance misuse education, and suicide prevention resources throughout the region’s construction and skilled trades workforce.
Applications open June 15 and will be accepted through July 31.
Scholarships Up to $1,000
The coalition will award five scholarships of up to $1,000 each to help offset the costs of training, tuition, and lost wages associated with obtaining Certified Peer Specialist certification or LAP (Labor Assistance Program) training. The initiative is designed to strengthen support systems within workplaces, unions, and communities while helping reduce the stigma surrounding mental health and substance use disorders.
Available to Trades-Affiliated Persons
Scholarships are available to individuals affiliated with the St. Louis Building Trades Wellness Coalition through a company, union, or organizational connection. Applicants must submit a three- to five-paragraph essay describing how the scholarship will advance their education in peer support, mental health, substance misuse, or suicide prevention and how the training will benefit their workplace, organization, or community.
A letter of support from an employer, union, or organization is also required.
Applications should be submitted via email to stlbtwellnesscoalition@gmail.com with the subject line “Scholarship Application.”
Recipients Announced in October
Recipients will be announced at the coalition’s quarterly meeting on Oct. 9. Scholarship funds must be used within six months of the award date.
Awardees also agree to remain engaged with the coalition through peer support meetings, quarterly meetings, or related training opportunities for at least one year and provide follow-up reports documenting the impact of their training.
The scholarship program reflects the coalition’s ongoing efforts to improve worker wellness and increase access to trained peer support resources across the construction industry.