$600

A full-day pre-conference training on Mon, 2/22 from 8am - 4:30pm. The ticket includes breakfast, lunch, and all training materials.

Location: InterContinental Chicago Magnificent Mile by IHG - 505 N Michigan Ave, Chicago, IL 60611

At the heart of any community and culture change effort are the stories. We lack stories that stir fire in the belly and fuel our actions to make changes.  

The basic narrative of a transformational story is this: “This is me. This is how my life and others like me have been systematically destroyed. This is how I see change is possible.”  

Yes, the story needs to take us into the crisis. We need to understand the depths of pain in despair and the challenges experienced, but the majority of the story is about the overcoming of it. We are hardwired for storytelling - stories move our hearts and build community.  

As part of a suicide prevention, addiction recovery, and mental health promotion strategy, stories let others know they are not alone and collectively, they can tell a powerful tale of hope, recovery, and change. 

Learning Objectives. Participants will be able to:

1. To articulate why should we consider sharing personal stories in our community’s efforts in mental health promotion, addiction recovery, and suicide prevention. 

•    For storyteller 
•    For listener 
•    For society 

2. To reflect on whether storytellers are ready to share their stories 

3. To identify effective story structure and practices 

4. To understand key aspects of safe and trauma-informed messaging.

Construction has rung the bell on mental health. What sites need next is the "now what" — trusted people on the ground who can proactively turn awareness into daily practice. This certification trains construction professionals as resilience champions: people who understand the brain's stress response, practice the Three R's Resilience Framework (Recognize, Reframe, Reset) themselves, and can lead sixty-second resilience resets and toolbox talks with their own crews. The day will feature brain health learning, real jobsite scenarios, and highly interactive exercises. Participants will practice facilitating, get live coaching, and leave with Mastermind's scripts, toolbox talks, and a 90-day site plan. Certification includes lifetime access to Mastermind's on-demand certification video curriculum and practice library, so graduates keep training long after Chicago. Designed for safety leaders, supervisors, HR, and peer supporters.

Facilitator: Dorsey Standish, MS

Build the Drum, Build the Circle: Rhythm-Based Peer Support

Build the Drum, Build the Circle is an immersive, evidence-informed training for construction leaders, safety professionals, union representatives, peer supporters, wellbeing champions, and people with lived experience. Participants will build and keep their own drum while learning practical rhythm-based tools that promote connection, emotional expression, stress regulation, recovery, and workplace belonging. Andrew Ecker and Monica Patton will introduce the Drumming Sounds Protocol, the EMOTE peer-support process, trauma-aware facilitation practices, recreational group drumming, and accessible sound-medicine techniques. Through demonstrations, small-group exercises, facilitated practice, reflection, and teach-backs, participants will develop skills for leading safe, beginner-friendly rhythm experiences within companies, unions, associations, and communities. Graduates will leave with a handmade drum, practical resources, and an implementation plan for using rhythm and peer connection to strengthen workplace wellbeing and complement broader mental-health and suicide-prevention efforts.

Facilitators: Monica Patton and Andrew Ecker

VitalCog in Construction - Train the Trainer

The VitalCog in Construction Train the Trainer is a program offered to the construction industry to assist in the training of employees at all levels of a construction organization. Participants will learn to appreciate the critical need for suicide prevention while creating a forum for dialogue and critical thinking about mental health challenges, and by promoting help-seeking and help-giving behaviors. Our vision is to cultivate a construction community of employees who are aspiring to eliminate the devastating impact of suicide. Participants will become certified as VitalCog trainers and be supported in the implementation and facilitation of the VitalCog in Construction training.

Objectives:
•    Promote critical thinking about suicide prevention
•    Open dialogue about mental health and suicide prevention in the construction industry
•    Increase the confidence of facilitators to deliver this training to others

About Alex Yannacone:
Alex has an extensive background in implementation and training for the prevention and intervention of mental health services and education. As the Director of Education and Community Programs at the Helen and Arthur E. Johnson Depression Center, Alex provides programs and trainings addressing mental well-being for workplaces, schools, and communities across the United States. She is also a master trainer in suicide prevention trainings including QPR & VitalCog.

Facilitator: Alex Yannacone

Building Trauma-Prepared Organizations

Construction organizations prepare extensively for physical safety and emergency response. Yet, many remain underprepared for the psychological and organizational effects of workplace fatalities, serious injuries, suicide, violence, medical emergencies, natural disasters, or the sudden death of a coworker. This highly interactive, full-day certificate workshop equips construction leaders, safety professionals, HR staff, supervisors, peer supporters, labor representatives, and cross-functional teams to build the foundation of a Workplace Trauma Preparedness Plan. Using a realistic construction scenario selected through a structured risk-mapping exercise, participants will establish a trauma preparedness team, align responsibilities with Incident Command, develop communication strategies, assess resources and gaps, and create a 30-60-90-day implementation roadmap. Participants leave with practical planning tools and a first-draft framework they can immediately adapt within their organization.

Facilitator: Sarah Gaer, MA

Turning Adversity into Purpose: Leading Through Trauma and Uncertainty - 8:00am - 12:00pm

Morning Session

This training explores how leaders and practitioners can transform hardship into purpose-driven growth. Designed for social workers, psychologists, and mental health professionals, participants will gain practical language and robust frameworks for cultivating resilience-centered leadership, especially when operating under pressure. The session provides actionable strategies to navigate and lead through traumatic experiences and uncertainty, fostering a proactive approach to personal and professional development.

Facilitator David S. Chametzky

Substance Use First Aid - 12:30pm - 4:30pm

Afternoon Session

Substance Use First Aid® teaches participants to recognize early signs of unhealthy
substance use and respond with compassion and clarity before concerns escalate.
SUFA prepares everyday community members to have supportive conversations that
matter. Through SUFA, participants build capacity to notice changes in behavior, mood, functioning, or physical presentation; understand substance use as a health issue on a spectrum; use person-first, strengths-based language; engage in supportive, non- directive conversations; and assist with connection to appropriate social, peer, or clinical care. SUFA integrates public health thinking, motivational interviewing, trauma-informed principles, and stigma-reducing communication.

Facilitators: Erik Jacobsen and Patricia Markwell