Wellbeing, Mental Health Stigma, and Help-Seeking Among Blue Collar Workers: A Descriptive Study
Location
Poster #6
Start Date
1-5-2026 10:00 AM
Department
Counselor Education
Abstract
Blue collar workers across industries have experienced long-standing cultural expressions of high stigma surrounding mental health, shaped by a complex history of events and deeply ingrained norms. This project utilizes mixed methods through quantitative survey, as well as qualitative interview to better understand the lived experiences of stigma, help seeking, and well being of blue collar workers. It is hoped that data from this project can support the programming and services to better serve blue collar workers seeking mental health support, as well for addressing stigma effectively to reduce barriers to help seeking. Two overarching research questions guide this project: What is the relationship between the level of well-being, mental health stigma and help-seeking behaviors, among blue-collar workers? What are the lived experiences and perceived barriers that blue-collar workers encounter when seeking mental health support, and what strategies do they identify as effective in reducing these barriers and seeking help?
Faculty Sponsor
Hulya Ermis
Wellbeing, Mental Health Stigma, and Help-Seeking Among Blue Collar Workers: A Descriptive Study
Poster #6
Blue collar workers across industries have experienced long-standing cultural expressions of high stigma surrounding mental health, shaped by a complex history of events and deeply ingrained norms. This project utilizes mixed methods through quantitative survey, as well as qualitative interview to better understand the lived experiences of stigma, help seeking, and well being of blue collar workers. It is hoped that data from this project can support the programming and services to better serve blue collar workers seeking mental health support, as well for addressing stigma effectively to reduce barriers to help seeking. Two overarching research questions guide this project: What is the relationship between the level of well-being, mental health stigma and help-seeking behaviors, among blue-collar workers? What are the lived experiences and perceived barriers that blue-collar workers encounter when seeking mental health support, and what strategies do they identify as effective in reducing these barriers and seeking help?