Beyond "Thank You": Mike Hazard on UA VIP & Veteran Mental Health

What does it actually mean to support our military veterans when they transition to civilian life? It goes far beyond a simple "thank you for your service." It means providing a direct path to a good life, a strong career, and an industry culture that protects their mental well-being.

On this special Memorial Day episode of America's Work Force Union Podcast, host Ed "Flash" Ferenc sits down with Mike Hazard, a Navy veteran and the Executive Director of the United Association’s Veterans in Piping (VIP) program.

 

Hazard shares the incredible 18-year track record of the UA VIP program—a DoD SkillBridge initiative that has placed more than 3,700 graduates into guaranteed, high-paying career tracks within the pipe trades. But the conversation doesn't stop at career placement. Hazard dives deep into an urgent, deeply personal mission: tackling the mental health crisis in the construction industry.

 

Key Discussion Points:

• The 10% Bottleneck: Why timeline constraints mean only a fraction of the 200,000 annually transitioning service members can access elite programs like VIP, and how partnerships with Helmets to Hardhats provide a vital safety net.
• The Staggering Statistics: Why construction workers are six times more likely to die by suicide than by a job site accident—and how the UA is fighting back by embedding dedicated suicide prevention workshops directly into standard OSHA 30 training.
• The Power of Peer Support: The specific, lifesaving training that teaches workers to bypass vague language and ask the direct question: "Are you thinking about suicide?"
• A Sovereign Memorial Day Message: A veteran’s reflection on how to honor families who have lost loved ones in uniform—and why listening to their stories with both ears is our ultimate obligation.

 

Critical Resources & Links:

• Learn more about the UA VIP Program: uavip.org
• Explore Veteran Trade Paths: unionvets.org
• Get Support Now: If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available. Call or text 988 to reach the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. It is free, confidential, and available 24/7.

 

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