IBEW Local 38 program focuses on mind and body
Members of IBEW Local 38 Members Assistance Program are taking care of both their mental health and physical health. In addition to bi-monthly meetings to discuss mental health, the Local 38 MAP held a special event at BrownsFit in Cleveland to help members work on their physical health. Participants took part in a stretching program (bottom image) and then were free to work out on their own using any of the fitness center’s equipment.
An initiative by IBEW Local 38 to help members feel more comfortable discussing their mental well-being added an additional twist to also incorporate a physical health component as well.
The IBEW Local 38 Member Assistance Program (MAP) offers members a powerful, peer-led resource dedicated to supporting the well-being of Local 38 Brothers and Sisters.
Members can take part in the twice-monthly MAP meetings, which include private group discussions amongst those in attendance about any issues they are dealing with.
Local 38 members dealing with significant mental health issues that cannot be resolved by the MAP can turn to Marathon Health for individual help from a mental health professional.
The twist on the Local 38 program involves a special event – focusing on the body, as members hit the weights, treadmill or other exercise equipment to improve their physical health.
The Local 38 MAP is one of a growing number of Local, International or NABTU-related initiatives focused on addressing the growing mental health crisis in the construction industry.
According to the National Institutes of Health, nationwide, construction workers make up roughly 7.4 percent of the workforce, but account for nearly a fifth of deaths by suicide.
A 2025 study between the National Alliance on Mental Illness and Clayco, a general contractor, found that about 64 percent of the 1,000 construction workers surveyed across the U.S.
admitted they have dealt with mental health issues. That is up from 54 percent the previous year.
Broken down by gender, the study found 60 percent of tradesmen and 73 percent of tradeswomen responded that they had experienced anxiety or depression over the last year.
For Local 38 member Jason Biondolilo, who co-founded the Local 38 MAP along with fellow member Shane Casey, the need was there to help IBEW 38 members struggling with their mental health.
“We need to get our members engaged in a higher level of self-care,” said Biondolilo.
While recovering from a massive heart attack in 2025, Biondolilo experienced firsthand how mental health can affect a person and realized that he could not be the only Local 38 Brother
or Sister dealing with such issues.
He and Casey began to talk about issues affecting their lives – both on and off the jobsite.
Those conversations eventually turned into a suggestion by Casey that the two should go to the gym and work out. Not only could they relieve some stress and improve their physical well-being, but they could also talk more.
“I would work out on the weekends by myself,” said Casey, “but it was better working out with a buddy. It really does help both body and mind.”
Soon, the two members began to tell other Local 38 members about their idea, including those on their jobsites.
They took the idea to IBEW Local 38 Business Manager Dan Gallagher and the Local 38 Executive Board.
After speaking with Rita Abdallah, Marathon Health Behavioral Therapist, the plan was approved.
Prior to the group’s first meeting in May 2025, Adbuallah created the guidelines, protocols and meeting agendas. She also co-facilitated meetings with Biondolilo before turning the facilitator reins over to him.
More than a year later, the Local 38 MAP draws about 15 to 20 members to each of its twice- monthly meetings to discuss mental health.
On June 9, the Local 38 MAP held a special fitness-focused event sponsored by the Haslam Sports Group through Browns Fit and Marathon Health.
After work, members gathered at Browns Fit, located on the second floor of the Aloft Hotel on W. 10th Street in Cleveland.
Roughly 15 members attended, and, as an added bonus, received stretching and warm-up exercises by Marathon Health Physical Therapist Thomas Adams.
Participants learned different stretches they can do on the jobsite prior to starting a shift that could help them avoid muscle injury. Other stretches and exercises focused on general physical health.
Once the training session ended, the workout began.
Biondolilo explained that there was no set routine or requirement.
Participants were free to do whatever they wanted. If they desired, they could
spend the evening working on free weights, cardio, functional training, etc.
“There’s no competition, and everyone goes at their own pace,” added Casey.
Between reps on the rowing machine, Local 38 member Nick Samples, talked about one of the benefits of the program.
“Mentally, this is huge,” he said of the Local 38 MAP. “Just to get together and talk and work out is huge a benefit.”
“Mental health is just as important as physical health,” stressed Eric Schwind, an instructor with the Cleveland Electrical JATC.
Casey noted that all members are welcome to attend Local 38 MAP meetings.
Biondolilo stressed that all conversations between the group members stay private.
The IBEW Local 38 MAP meets on the second and fourth Tuesday of each month at the Cleveland Electrical JATC from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m.
MAP members are scheduled to work out together at the same Browns Fit location on July 21. Biondolilo hopes the group workout can turn into a monthly event.
Local 38 members who are interested in joining can show up or reach out to Biondolilo at jason.ibew38map@gmail.com or at 440-278-9797.
Anyone needing immediate mental health assistance should dial 988 to reach the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.