Welcome to the Local 4 Funds Office Wellbeing Hub.
We’re glad you’re here!
We’re glad you’re here!
“It’s important to point out that mental health is more about wellness rather than sickness.”
– Matt Purcell
Karen Larsen
Social Worker and Care Coordinator
Save the Date
Join your fellow Local 4 members at the Healthy Living and Retirement Fair on Sunday, October 26 from 9 a.m. to noon at Polar Park, 100 Madison St., Worcester, MA. Representatives from the Funds’ health and financial partners will be available to answer questions.
Dr. Nick Joyce of Lyra Health is offering a 30-minute presentation on Money and Mental Health from 10:00–10:30, seats available on a first come, first served basis. Nick Joyce is a licensed psychologist in Tampa, Florida. He works as a generalist, treating most conditions in adults and adolescents, specializing in anxiety treatment. He received his Master’s in Community Counseling in 2006 from Loyola University Chicago and his PhD in Counseling Psychology from the University of Akron. Attached is a workshop handout to learn more about the upcoming Lyra presentation: Money and Mental Health
Registration information and further information will be available on the Funds website main page.
This Month’s Featured Partners
Mental Health and Substance Use Resources
Eligible members of the Local 4 Health and Welfare Plan and their dependents have access to mental health resources from our Employee Assistance Program, Lyra Health, and from our health insurer, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts, as well as substance use disorder services from Carrum Health.
Lyra Health: Through Lyra, you are eligible for up to 8 free coaching or therapy sessions per plan year. Care can continue beyond the 8 complimentary sessions, with a $15 copayment under your Blue Cross Blue Shield benefit. Lyra can also provide medication management with a $15 copayment. Lyra has programs for people with substance use disorders and complex mental health issues. Lyra Renew is personalized care for those with substance use disorders, including problems with alcohol, opiates, stimulants, cannabis, and tobacco. See the following flyer for more information about Lyra Renew.
Lyra Complex Care is for those with substance use disorders, chronic mental health problems and recent or previous admissions to inpatient programs. Complex Care Specialists can help you navigate inpatient and other programs to find the right fit for your needs. See the following flyer for more information on Lyra Complex Care
Lyra can be reached at 844-926-2482 or Lyra Health. Lyra also has self-care tools located under the “library” of your Lyra account (you need to register for a Lyra account to see these resources). These include meditations, breathing exercises, and courses on mental health topics.
Blue Cross Blue Shield: Outpatient in-network mental health visits are covered with a $15 copayment. To find mental health providers, call Team Blue at 888-389-7764 Monday to Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. or sign into your MyBlue account. In addition to finding providers for therapy and medication management, the Blue Cross Blue Shield site offers information on in-network mental health care for specific conditions, including treatment for substance use disorders, eating disorders, neurodiversity, and OCD. For information on how to find mental health and substance use providers, see the following: IUOE Local 4 Mental Health Factsheet. In-network inpatient behavioral health programs, including partial hospitalization, intensive outpatient programs, detoxification and in-patient mental health and substance use are covered by your BCBS plan. Coinsurance and deductibles apply.
Carrum Health: Carrum offers care for substance use disorders for members and dependents age 18+. For those with alcohol or opiate use disorders, Carrum can provide access to high quality recovery centers, with most, if not all, costs covered. For more information, see the attached flyer or call 855-729-3511.
Regardless of insurance coverage, anyone can access the following resources:
The 988 Lifeline responds 24/7 to calls, chats or texts from anyone who needs support. There are many reasons that people connect with the 988 Lifeline, including suicide, problems with drug or alcohol use, emotional distress, anxiety, depression, mental illness, loneliness, trauma, bullying, stress, relationship troubles, and just needing someone to talk with. You do not need to be in crisis to contact 988. Call or text 988. 988 Lifeline – If you need emotional support, reach out to the national mental health hotline: 988.
The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) offers warmlines to connect with peer support. Unlike a hotline for those in immediate crisis, warmlines provide early intervention with emotional support that can prevent a crisis. To see a directory of warmlines by location, including hours of operation, see Warmline-Directory-as-of-August-14-2025.pdf (Please note: this site is periodically updated, search online for “NAMI National Warmline Directory” if this list does not come up).
If you need further information on any of these programs, please contact Karen Larsen at 508-533-1400 x127 or KLarsen@Local4Funds.org.
Wellness Updates
September is Suicide Prevention Awareness Month
September is Suicide Prevention Awareness Month and Construction Suicide Awareness week is held September 8–12. This year’s theme for Suicide Prevention Awareness Month is “Together in Strength, Dignity, Hope, and Purpose.” Seeking help when experiencing mental health or substance use challenges is a sign of strength, not weakness. It is important to be safe both at home and at the worksite. There are several partners that can provide access to behavioral health treatment. See the information under Featured Partners for how to find substance use and mental health resources. With the right support, people can heal, build resilience, and thrive after crisis. Above all, the Funds Office and the Union care about your well-being and safety. We encourage you and your family members to seek help when you need it.
If you are experiencing a mental health crisis, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room. If you are thinking about suicide, or if you have a friend, family member or coworker who are you are concerned about, contact the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline by calling or texting 988. You can also chat online at 988lifeline.org. 988 is available 24/7/365 and is confidential.
Tips from Lyra
Tips from Lyra
For ideas on how to support a friend going through a difficult time, see this Lyra flyer: 7 Ways to Support a Friend Going Through Tough Times
Lyra can be reached at 844-926-2482 or Lyra Health.