--- title: Mental health in the workplace with the Steelworkers, John Lepley description: The America’s Work Force Union Podcast is the nation’s premier daily labor program. John Lepley from the United Steelworkers joined us on today’s show. image: https://awf.labortools.com/hubfs/AmericasWorkForce/featured%20images/united-steelworkers-usw-international-featured.jpg --- 1 min read Season 6, Episode 103 # Mental health in the workplace with the Steelworkers, John Lepley [ awfblog ](https://awf.labortools.com/listen/author/awfblog) May 23, 2025 [America's Work Force Union Podcast](https://awf.labortools.com/listen/tag/americas-work-force-union-podcast) [AWF](https://awf.labortools.com/listen/tag/awf) [United Steelworkers](https://awf.labortools.com/listen/tag/united-steelworkers) ![AWF-Blogo-Logos-Template-400x400_USW](https://awf.labortools.com/hs-fs/hubfs/AmericasWorkForce/podcast%20logos/AWF-Blogo-Logos-Template-400x400_USW.png?width=400&height=400&name=AWF-Blogo-Logos-Template-400x400_USW.png)   Guest Name: --- John Lepley Guest Website: --- [United Steelworkers](https://usw.org/)  Guest Social Media: --- [ Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/steelworkers) [ Twitter](https://x.com/steelworkers) [ YouTube](https://www.youtube.com/@Steelworkers) Supportive Documents: --- John Lepley, Director of Education for the [United Steelworkers](https://usw.org/), joined the America's Work Force Union Podcast to discuss the critical intersection of mental health and the workplace, the role of education in addressing mental health issues and the evolving perception of mental health in the labor movement. Lepley began by discussing the significance of mental well-being in the workplace, noting that personal and professional stressors often overlap. He highlighted how unresolved issues at work can spill over into home life, affecting overall mental health. In response, the Steelworkers are actively addressing these challenges by promoting awareness and providing resources to help members manage stress and maintain a healthy work-life balance. According to Lepley, education plays a pivotal role in tackling mental health issues. The USW has developed programs to educate members about the impact of mental health on their lives and work. He explained that these initiatives aim to destigmatize mental health discussions, making it easier for workers to seek help and support. By integrating mental health education into their training, the union fosters a more supportive and understanding environment for its members, Lepley said Finally, Lepley discussed the changing perception of mental health within the labor movement. He noted that while mental health issues were once stigmatized, there is now a growing acceptance and willingness to openly address these concerns. This shift is helping to create a more inclusive and supportive workplace culture, where workers feel empowered to discuss their mental health challenges without fear of judgment. Listen to the full episode above to explore how the USW is working to promote mental health awareness and support in the workplace. --- America’s Work Force is the only daily labor podcast in the US and has been on the air since 1993, supplying listeners with useful, relevant input into their daily lives through fact-finding features, in-depth interviews, informative news segments and practical consumer reports. America’s Work Force is committed to providing an accessible venue in which America's workers and their families can hear discussion on important, relevant topics such as employment, healthcare, legislative action, labor-management relations, corporate practices, finances, local and national politics, consumer reports and labor issues. America’s Work Force Union Podcast is brought to you in part by our sponsors: AFL-CIO, American Federation of Government Employees, American Federation of Musicians Local 4, Alliance for American Manufacturing, Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield, Brotherhood of Maintenance of Way Employes-IBT, Boyd Watterson, Columbus/Central Ohio Building and Construction Trades Council, Communication Workers of America, Mechanical Insulators Labor Management Cooperative Trust, International Association of Heat and Frost Insulators and Allied Workers Local 50, International Federation of Professional and Technical Engineers, International Union of Bricklayers and Allied Crafts, International Union of Painters and Allied Trades District Council 6, Ironworkers Great Lakes District Council, Melwood, The Labor Citizen newspaper, Laborers International Union of North America, The National Labor Office of Blue Cross and Blue Shield, North Coast Area Labor Federation, Ohio Federation of Teachers, United Labor Agency, United Steelworkers. - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) ##### SUBSCRIBE ON: --- [![Group 342](https://awf.labortools.com/hs-fs/hubfs/AmericasWorkForce/podcast%20logos/Apple%20Podcasts%20Button-Dark.png?width=171&name=Apple%20Podcasts%20Button-Dark.png)](https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/americas-work-force-union-podcast/id1511224946) [![Group 341](https://awf.labortools.com/hs-fs/hubfs/AmericasWorkForce/podcast%20logos/Spotify%20Button-Dark.png?width=100&name=Spotify%20Button-Dark.png)](https://open.spotify.com/show/0GzkHxFSBxiXvuX0lZpQBn) [![Group 343](https://awf.labortools.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Group%20343.png?width=135&name=Group%20343.png)](https://www.iheart.com/podcast/americas-work-force-union-podcast-62567752/) [![Group 339](https://awf.labortools.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Group%20339.png?width=110&name=Group%20339.png)](https://www.pandora.com/podcast/americas-work-force-union-podcast/PC:47979) [![Group 397](https://awf.labortools.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Group%20397.png?width=125&name=Group%20397.png)](https://americasworkforceradiopodcast.podbean.com/) [![Group 397](https://awf.labortools.com/hs-fs/hubfs/YouTube_button.png?width=125&name=YouTube_button.png)](https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCuQo1PAtRAel1_tS7-PQOkA)   #### [Brotherhood of Railroad Signalmen on the Union Pacific Merger Threat](https://awf.labortools.com/listen/brotherhood-of-railroad-signalmen-on-the-union-pacific-merger-threat) : July 6, 2026 # Brotherhood of Railroad Signalmen on the Union Pacific Merger Threat Brandon Elvey, Secretary-Treasurer of the [Brotherhood of Railroad Signalmen](https://www.brs.org/),... 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