Thinking of counselling? Here are 5 things to know.
Posted January 27, 2025
About Us
Better tools for a stronger industry
Built for, and by, workers in BC’s unionized construction, trades and technical industries, BuildStrong by CIRP offers in-depth, individualized treatment plans, industry-focused training, and a comprehensive list of services designed to prevent, treat and reduce the problematic causes and symptoms of drug use, alcohol use, and related mental health issues.
Together with our members, we bring positive change, save lives, and strengthen our industry, because no one should face their problems alone, and every structure needs a solid foundation.
Our Impact in 2024
810
workers and their loved ones received personalized treatment
1,351
phone conversations helping connect people with vital resources
4,083
appointments booked with our case managers
Our Three Pillars approach
Our comprehensive, holistic approach is designed to prevent, treat and reduce the problematic causes and symptoms of substance use and related mental health issues. By focusing on what we call “the Three Pillars,” we’re doing more than treating a problem; we’re giving our members the tools they need to make positive, sustainable changes in their lives.
Prevention
Learn how your own mental health and the world around you contribute to drug and alcohol issues, and get the tools to stop it.
Treatment
Get the 1-on-1 counselling, bed-based treatment and other guidance that will help you address the underlying causes of your substance use and related mental health issues and reclaim your life.
Resiliency
Get post-treatment support for you and your family, and set yourself up for success with new skills and perspectives for a life well-lived.
HOW IT WORKS
Helping British Columbia’s unionized trades and tech workers since 1980.
The Construction Industry Rehabilitation Plan (CIRP) was founded in 1980 amid a growing call for support for those in the industry who were struggling with substance use. Over the decades, CIRP changed to meet its members’ needs, growing from a referral service, to a Rehabilitation Centre, and finally to a comprehensive Mental Health and Substance Use (MHSU) treatment program.
Today, that program is known as BuildStrong by CIRP, and we are recognized as experts in the successful treatment of substance use and related mental health within the trades and technical industries, providing governments, employers, and unions with valuable insight on the impact of MHSU, and paving the way for effective, compassionate, comprehensive industry-led treatment that saves lives.
Focused on preventing, reducing, and repairing the harm of substance use and related mental health, our services are, and have always been, proven, private and, thanks to our partners, 100% free at point-of-care for our 45,000+ members and their families.
Proudly supported by
1980
The Construction Industry
Rehabilitation Plan (CIRP) is founded.
It will serve as a fund “to cover drug
and alcohol-related problems in the
construction industry in BC.”
1992
CIRP becomes commonly known as “the house”
The 8-bed facility will help hundreds of individuals
successfully address their substance use and
addiction issues.
2025
CIRP becomes BuildStrong by CIRP
No longer focused solely on “rehabilitation,” and
serving unionized workers beyond the construction
industry, we changed our name but kept the same vision: “to improve the lives of our members, and strengthen our industry.”
1989
The CIRP Rehab Centre opens its doors.
The 14-bed treatment center signals a change
of focus for CIRP: from a referral service to a
bed-based treatment plan.
2016
CIRP expands its services
A greater focus on evidence-based treatment allows
CIRP to help members tackle the more complex
causes of substance use and related mental health.
1980
The Construction Industry
Rehabilitation Plan (CIRP) is founded.
It will serve as a fund “to cover drug
and alcohol-related problems in the
construction industry in BC.”
1989
The CIRP Rehab Centre opens its doors.
The 14-bed treatment center signals a change
of focus for CIRP: from a referral service to a
bed-based treatment plan.
1992
CIRP becomes commonly known as “the house”
The 8-bed facility will help hundreds of individuals
successfully address their substance use and
addiction issues.
2016
CIRP expands its services
A greater focus on evidence-based treatment allows
CIRP to help members tackle the more complex
causes of substance use and related mental health.
2025
CIRP becomes BuildStrong by CIRP
No longer focused solely on “rehabilitation,” and
serving unionized workers beyond the construction
industry, we changed our name but kept the same vision: “to improve the lives of our members, and strengthen our industry.”
Our Board of Directors
BuildStrong is informed by decades of live-saving work, and guided by industry veterans and clinical experts. We know the unique challenges you’re facing because we’ve seen them first-hand, and we’re here to help.
Vicky Waldron
MSc., H. Psych (Hons)., PG.Dip.
Executive Director of BuildStrong
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum dolore eu fugiat nulla pariatur.
Vicky Waldron
MSc., H. Psych (Hons)., PG.Dip.
Executive Director of BuildStrong
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum dolore eu fugiat nulla pariatur.
Vicky Waldron
MSc., H. Psych (Hons)., PG.Dip.
Executive Director of BuildStrong
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum dolore eu fugiat nulla pariatur.
Vicky Waldron
MSc., H. Psych (Hons)., PG.Dip.
Executive Director of BuildStrong
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum dolore eu fugiat nulla pariatur.
Vicky Waldron
MSc., H. Psych (Hons)., PG.Dip.
Executive Director of BuildStrong
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum dolore eu fugiat nulla pariatur.
Vicky Waldron
MSc., H. Psych (Hons)., PG.Dip.
Executive Director of BuildStrong
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum dolore eu fugiat nulla pariatur.
Our clinical team
Trusted, clinical, compassionate care
Our clinical team includes certified counsellors and case managers with advanced training in addiction care, counselling, and psychotherapy, and a deep understanding of the unique challenges faced by workers in the trades and technical industries.
Our experience allows us to offer specialized support in addressing the issues of substance and related mental health. Using evidence-based practices, we provide care that is not only rooted in research, but also tailored to the real-world needs of unionized workers and their loved ones. Our approach ensures that the support we offer is both effective and relevant, helping our members navigate and overcome the obstacles they face in their professional and personal lives.
From Abbotsford to Zeballos, and all the places in between, we’re here to help.
“every single one of my therapy sessions improves my day and equips me with tools for tomorrow.”
– IBEW Member
BuildStrong Resources
3 mental health exercises you can use right now in the workplace
Posted January 27, 2025
5 FREE* tools for trades and tech workers that save lives.
Posted January 27, 2025