MAP Celebrates 25 Years of Serving BAC Members

In 2023, the BAC Member Assistance Program (MAP) celebrated its 25th anniversary. Through the years, MAP has remained unyielding in its efforts to promote the well-being and vitality of BAC members and their loved ones.

A core function of MAP has been to maintain expert-level knowledge and treatment of challenges that anyone may face, as well as challenges that are unique to workers in the trades. In doing so, MAP continues to implement strategies and practices that best address the evolving needs of our workforce. BAC member wellness has remained and will remain at the center of our enduring mission.

To commemorate 25 years of MAP service, we invite you to consider 25 simple, but powerful, actions that align with overall well-being:

1. Read this list. Simply stated, becoming increasingly comfortable with concepts related to emotional and behavioral health improves outcomes.

2. Learn the warning signs of a range of mental illnesses and substance use disorders.

3. Make and keep a list of ‘five coping strategies’ that have helped you in the past; refer to it as needed.

4. If you think you may benefit from counseling but have not gone, identify the reasons why not.

5. Know your local resources. Most communities have a wide range of programs to help with quality-of-life improvement.

6. Schedule a doctor’s appointment and request a mental health and substance use screening while there.

7. Join a wide range of support groups to feel less alone – many are offered in person, and many more are offered online.

8. Be proactive about pain management.

9. Start a 30-Day Challenge pertaining to a habit you’ve been looking to modify.

10. Support safe environments by reducing access to lethal means amongst people who may be at risk for harming themselves.

11. Commit to addressing high-conflict relationships in your life.

12. Embrace ‘growth mindsets’ that value personal development.

13. Dispose of unused or expired medications.

14. Download applications on your phone that support wellness.

15. Seek or create opportunities to have more environmental stability.

16. Visit the idea of what brings you a sense of purpose right now; build on the answer.

17. Write down something you want to improve.

18. If you have any untold story that continues to weigh heavily on you, consider what would help you to share it with a trusted party.

19. Find honor in promoting and engaging in healthier peer interactions.

20. Identify a personal emergency contact list (including your local hospital, doctor, and the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline); store the information of all parties in your phone.

21. Deal with major stressors that are within your control and have been awaiting your attention (and if you struggle to, consider why).

22. Recognize trauma. Many people who have experienced trauma tend to downplay or minimize the effects of what they have experienced, delaying treatment and prolonging suffering.

23. See the point of making yourself as much of a priority as you may make the ones you love.

24. Learn about emotional regulation.

25. Get help. Call MAP at 1-833-MAP-TALK if you or a loved one would benefit from furthering the conversation around well-being.