Are You Ok? 5 Mental Health Lessons from a Recovering Stress Junkie

Tending to the workforce’s mental health has become an important part of the Environmental Health and Safety practitioner’s responsibilities; however, little to no attention is given to their own mental health. As a retired Paramedic and present day EHS professional, I share my insights and lessons learned for identifying common stressors, recognizing healthy and unhealthy coping mechanisms, and what I ultimately learned about mental self-care.

Learning Objectives
1. Discuss how mental health can be fluid and the challenges this creates.
2. Identify common stressors and triggers associated with the EHS profession.
3. Identify and use self-monitoring techniques for self-care.
4. Identify common triggers for seeking outside/professional help.
5. Identify resources available for assistance.

Jorge is the Founder and Managing Partner of The Bilingual Safety Guy, LLC, a full-service safety and health consulting firm based in Central Florida. With over 25 years of experience across industrial, commercial, and residential construction, entertainment, warehousing, and food manufacturing, he brings a broad safety perspective. A retired paramedic, Jorge emphasizes personal relationships and responsibility as key drivers of safety.

He holds a B.S. in Safety and Health Management from Columbia Southern University and an A.S. in Environmental Science from the College of Southern Nevada, along with certifications from the Board of Certified Safety Professionals and the Institution of Occupational Safety and Health.

Jorge lives in Winter Haven, FL, with his wife, Ana, and their son, Diego. In his free time, he serves as president of the Winter Haven High School Band Boosters, supporting Diego’s high school band.