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.   Want more stories from the frontline of the labor movement? Subscribe to the America's Work Force Union Podcast to get the latest interviews with the leaders and organizers building worker power across America.