Worker Wellness Blog
Date Posted: April 28, 2026
Posted In: Discussion, Workforce,
by Dr. John Gaal
This week’s edition of our Worker Wellness blog takes a look at how 988 helped reduce recent Youth Suicides; to increase in Mental Health crises for Air Traffic Controllers; to how wildfire smoke may be linked to cancer.
Focal Point: For months now, I have included a number of articles discussing the pros and cons of Artificial Intelligence (AI), especially when it comes to Mental Health. In fact, there’s one included below on AI’s accuracy—when it comes to one’s medical conditions.
This week I wish to highlight the upcoming ‘Happy Hour – Roundtable Discussion’ on Wednesday, April 29, 2026 at 4:00PM.
Did you ever wonder how your cell phone + an instant bio-scan might assist you and/or others in averting a potential a mental health crisis? Pete Kaehler with Labor Healthworks will be our host on Vital Scores. If this topic/technology is of interest to you, come join us for a free live demo. Space is limited so contact me ASAP to reserve a spot.
Location:
Bartolino’s
2103 Sulphur
St. Louis, MO 63139
In closing, I wish to thank Rich Ledbetter and his leadership team at Guarantee Electrical Company (GECO) for their recent $10,000 donation to the STL Building Trades Wellness Coalition. This ‘investment’ is a testament to GECO’s dedication towards raising the importance of Mental Health Safety on and off the job site. Rich was quick to point out that GECO spent nearly $3M last year focusing on the physical aspects of safety but $0 on the mental aspects of safety…yet, for the past few years, the deaths in our industry are 1:21, respectively. Not only was this act of kindness another example of how labor and management folks in the STL Construction Industry join forces to tackle tough issues but, more importantly, it serves as a reminder why STL is the Center of US Construction Excellence!
Source:
[1] https://www.washingtonpost.com/health/2026/04/21/chatbot-medical-advice-accurate/
Additional Links to Check Out
Mental Health: Air Traffic Controllers
Tech / Teachers / Attention Span
Short Exercises for Longer Life
US Secretary of Labor Steps Down
US-DOL’s Proposed Joint Employer Rule
Upcoming webinars, etc.:
NOTE: The links provided above are for informational purposes only. None of these serve as a substitute for medical advice one should obtain from his/her own primary care physician and/or mental health professional. Please contact Dr. John Gaal, Chief Learning Officer, at stlbtwc@gmail.com with related questions or comments.