In 2017, as awareness of mental health and substance use disorder struggles increased, the unionized sheet metal industry launched its Helpline, operated around the clock by a licensed counselor and available to dependent families and members of the International Association of Sheet Metal, Air, Rail and Transportation (SMART) workers.
Created by the Sheet Metal Occupational Health Institute Trust Inc. (SMOHIT), the health and safety arm of SMART, the Helpline began as a temporary solution — but this year it celebrates five years as the most robust industry-specific help line in the building trades.