LEAN LIUNA Level 2: Peer Support Groups

The LHSFNA’s LEAN LIUNA—Laborers Escaping Adversity Now—initiative is bringing the power of peer support directly to LIUNA members and their families. Built by Laborers, for Laborers, these programs help LIUNA members and their families:

• Take full advantage of the healthcare benefits available to them
• Navigate coverage-related issues and get connected with the right provider and resources for their needs
• Stay engaged with fellow Laborers who support their recovery and well-being

Our first article focused on Level 1 of LEAN LIUNA—gathering and distributing resources to members. This month, we’re taking a look at Level 2—using peer support groups to reduce stigma and let members know they’re not alone.

“It’s not always easy to reach out for help,” says LIUNA General Secretary-Treasurer and LHSFNA Trustee Michael F. Sabitoni. “Peer support groups use the power of shared experiences to break down barriers, empower members to open up and show them they are not alone.”

What Is a Peer Support Group?

A peer support group brings together people with similar experiences, illnesses or circumstances to share their struggles, offer advice, provide encouragement and foster a safe and trustworthy community.

Peer support is valuable because it offers an opportunity to connect with people who truly understand and can relate to what you’re going through.

Benefits of LEAN LIUNA Support Groups

Starting a peer support group at your Local Union, training center or within another LIUNA entity can bring many benefits to members:

• Community: The construction industry has its own culture, and bringing together a group of people who understand it can help create connection.
• Trust & Relatability: Peers with firsthand experience can share practical advice and emotional support that’s often received more easily than the same information coming from a medical professional.
• Inspiration: Seeing others make progress can be very motivating and prepare members for the challenges ahead.
• Safe Space: Support groups provide a confidential environment where people can open up and be vulnerable without fear of judgment.

Starting Your Own Peer Support Group

Interested in starting your own peer support group? The LHSFNA’s guide to Starting a Peer Support Group contains detailed guidance on how to do just that. Some areas to consider include:

• Choosing support group leaders. Though peer support groups don’t have to focus solely on recovery from drugs or alcohol, if they do, it’s recommended that support group leaders be in active long-term recovery (at least five years). All support group leaders should also have good communication skills and be able to maintain confidentiality.
• Suggested training. While not required, certification such as Labor Assistance Professional (LAP) training can give a support group leader the skills they need to succeed.
• Avoiding conflicts of interest. It’s recommended group leaders don’t hold leadership positions in the union (e.g., a supervisor, foreperson or Business Manager/Agent) because the power dynamic might cause members to feel they can’t speak openly about sensitive issues.

“Starting a peer support group can be a relatively easy, efficient and affordable way to create community and meet people’s needs,” said Jamie Becker, the LHSFNA’s Director of Health Promotion. “Several peer support groups already exist within LIUNA, and more groups are being formed. The LHSFNA is here to help you get these groups off the ground and create a valuable outlet for members in need.”

Become a LEAN LIUNA Ally

Everyone in the LIUNA family has a part to play in making members feel supported, and creating real change takes all of us.

To show your support for LEAN LIUNA programs and end the stigma around asking for help, take our LEAN LIUNA Ally pledge today. We’ll add you to the map on our About LEAN LIUNA page so fellow LIUNA Brothers and Sisters can see that we’re all in this together. As a thank you, every Ally can opt-in to receive a LEAN LIUNA Ally hardhat sticker sent by the LHSFNA.

[Nick Fox]