OccHealthSci September 2025 Newsletter
- Shaun McGillis
- Sep 3
- 4 min read
The latest news, updates, and events from OccHealthSci
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September is Suicide Prevention Awareness Month
September is National Suicide Prevention Awareness Month, a time dedicated to raising awareness about suicide prevention and promoting mental health resources. To learn more about Suicide Prevention Awareness Month and to find important mental health resources, visit the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration's website. In honor of National Suicide Prevention Awareness Month, OccHealthSci announces the launch of two new resources to support workplace mental health.
Mental Health Support for Construction Crews
The Oregon Institute of Occupational Health Sciences is pleased to announce the launch of the Mental Health Support for Construction Crews training for construction crew leaders. Mental Health Support for Construction Crews is an evidence-based, 60-minute training course and implementation tool that equips construction crew supervisors to:
Recognize warning signs of mental health distress
Learn appropriate ways to respond to workplace mental health concerns
Implement practical strategies to reduce employee stress
Develop preventative strategies to support employees' mental health
In recognition of National Suicide Prevention Month, the Institute is offering the training free for the month of September. If you have questions about the training or would like to request a demo, contact rwi@ohsu.edu.
Workplace Ovderdose Hazard Alert
The Oregon Fatality Assessment and Control Evaluation (OR-FACE) Program recently published a workplace Overdose Hazard Alert with resources and safety tips to help workers and employers reduce workplace incidents involving drugs or alcohol.
Professional development
Total Worker Health®: Train the Trainer
Fridays, September 12 – October 10 10:00 – 12:00 p.m. PDT Virtual workshops Cost: FREE Register to attend the workshops
This interactive, eight-hour workshop series and engaging professional development course covers TWH core concepts, principles and practical resources that are essential for initial planning and implementation of the TWH approach in any organization or work setting. During this workshop series, participants can expect to:
Learn to effectively explain TWH related concepts and defining elements
Learn strategies to engage workers and strategies for gaining support across your organization or workplace
Contextualize the TWH basic training for a variety of audiences
Become part of the TWH learning community
Workshop series requirements:
Previous completion of the TWH 101: The Basics course offered by the Oregon TWH Alliance
Commitment to attending all four virtual sessions
Completion of a practical assignment.
SHRM continuing education credits are available upon completion.
Total Worker Health® Awareness for Safety Committees
Monday, September 15 3:00 – 4:15 p.m. PDT At the 2025 Central Oregon Health & Safety Conference Conference registration required Cost: Conference registration fees Learn more and register to attend
This workshop helps participants broaden their understanding of all types of hazards, including psychosocial and organizational hazards, which are not always easy to recognize. Participants have an opportunity to learn about bringing a comprehensive view of hazards to your committees using the TWH approach. This approach has been widely recognized and successfully implemented in workplaces across industries. Participants will learn how current safety committees’ activities might relate (or not) to the TWH approach and discuss some of specific employee engagement and supportive supervision solutions to advance health, safety, and well-being at work more effectively.
Workplace Stress/burnout: What Health and Safety Professionals Can Do
Monday, September 15 1:00 – 2:15 p.m. PDT At the 2025 Central Oregon Health & Safety Conference Conference registration required Cost: Conference registration fees Learn more and register to attend
In this course, participants will learn practical ways to foster a supportive and psychologically safe work environment as part of your existing safety management practices. These include tools and resources you can bring to your workplace to create a healthier, more productive, and engaging environment where workers can thrive, positively affecting your organization’s performance.
OccHealthSci Sponsored Programs
Oregon Healthy Workforce Center
The Oregon Healthy Workforce Center (OHWC) is till accepting proposals for pilot research project addressing Total Worker Health. The goal of our Pilot Project Program is to support new and impactful research that advances the OHWC’s theme: Total Worker Health intervention effectiveness, translation, and outreach to advance safe and healthy work design. The deadline for submitting proposals is September 15, 2025. Learn more about the proposal process, including how to submit your proposal.
Learn more about the Oregon Health Workforce Center, including interventions to improve worker health and other resources, current and past research projects, and other resources.
Occupational Public Health & OR-FACE Programs
The Oregon Fatality Assessment and Control Evaluation (OR-FACE) Program recently published a hazard alert on workplace overdoses. The hazard alert tells real stories about some of the incidents that have occurred in Oregon workplaces since 2018. The hazard alert also provides prevention recommendations (safety tips).
Learn more about OR-FACE, including our fatality investigations and toolbox talks, by visiting our website. To download and receive new publications including investigative reports and other OR-FACE publications, please join our mailing list.
OccHealthSci Research, Blog and Events
Stay up to date on the latest basic, clinical, and applied research at OccHealthSci, and learn about our partnerships and community engagement at the Oregon and the Workplace blog.
Research briefs
The endogenous circadian system impairs nighttime blood pressure response to active standing in older adults
OccHealthSci professors Saurabh Thosar and Steve Shea recently published critical research findings with important implications for older individuals. The paper was published in the Journal of Physiology. The research team found that older adults have impaired blood pressure response to active standing and that the impairment was related to the body’s internal clock. According to the research team, this impairment significantly increases the risk of fainting and falling in older adults, particularly at night and early morning. Read more about this study.
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