Fly the flag for suicide prevention with MATES in Construction
Did you know construction workers are more likely to suicide than any other men in Australia? MATES in Construction are here to help.
The Property Council of Australia was fortunate to have MATES in Construction pay our Perth office a visit this week to talk about these shocking statistics, and what can be done about suicide in the construction industry. We were joined by members of our Division Council and Committee Chairs and we thank attendees for their support.
According to The AISRAP Report provided by the Australian Institute of Suicide Research and Prevention – a construction worker is six times more likely to die by suicide than from an accident at work.
The report shows that construction apprentices also have a suicide rate two and a half times higher than other men in Australia.
According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS 2016) one person dies by suicide every day in Western Australia, with around 75 per cent of suicides by men. Australia wide someone dies by suicide every three hours.
Considering the underreporting of suicide equates to around 20 per cent of reported suicides, with one in 20 people in Australia reported to have thoughts about suicide, it is undeniable that something needs to be done to change things.
MATES in Construction Chief Executive Officer, WA Brad Geatches said it is alarming how little significance is given to education and training on mental health in the construction industry, and on what to do if you think a colleague is struggling.
“This a very real workplace safety issue, with some workers undertaking their often hazardous roles with compromised mental health. It is also a significant moral and corporate social responsibility issue for both property development and construction companies,” Mr Geatches said.
“Our award-winning suicide awareness training and support program was designed by the construction industry – for the industry – and it is saving lives in workplaces that have shown the moral leadership to get on board,” he said.
“We are a charity providing our services free of charge – we rely on Government funding and donations.”
Damien McVeigh who works as a Field Officer at MATES in Construction explained how a site worker who recently completed the program prevented a suicide just hours before a workmate had planned to take his own life, by utilising the tools and skills he learnt through the training.
“The signs and subtle ‘invitations’ for help often go unnoticed or aren’t acted on when you don’t know what to look for, and when you don’t have the training, knowledge or skills to know what to do and how you can help in those circumstances,” said Mr McVeigh.
“When we lose a colleague, family member or friend to suicide we are often left thinking, if only I knew more about it, maybe I could have picked up on the signs. Maybe I could have done something,” he said.
Sadly, statistics show that one in two people who die by suicide have told someone they are struggling, depressed or thinking about it. That someone doesn’t always have the tools or knowledge to know what to do. This is all too familiar a story in the construction industry.
More about MATES in Construction (MIC)
MATES in Construction is an integrated program of training and support. The program is based on the simple idea that “suicide is everyone’s business” and that if the building and construction industry in Australia is to improve the mental health and wellbeing of workers and to reduce suicide then it cannot be left to the mental health professionals, but rather everyone in the industry must play their part.
The MIC program uses training as a tool to raise awareness that there is a problem with suicide and its contributing risk factors in our industry. The support is then provided through clear pathways to help, including case management processes that ensure workers in need of support are connected to appropriate help, and on-site visits by field officers to support the site and its workers in an ongoing presence until the site closes.
MIC CEO – WA Brad Geatches explains that by teaming up with MATES in Construction you send a clear message to your staff that your business cares about its people, from permanent employees to contract staff who are often faced with the stress that comes with uncertainty around employment as they move from job to job.
“By talking about suicide and by implementing the MATES in Construction program as an integral part of your business, you can help prevent suicide,” Mr Geatches said.
How you can help
“To businesses that facilitate and fund the construction of residential and commercial buildings – you are a vital part of the solution in reducing and preventing the high level of suicide among Australian construction workers,” MATES in Construction CEO – WA Brad Geatches urges.
Commit to welcoming the MATES in Construction program as a vital part of your business. Property Council of Australia encourages all our members to not overlook the undeniable statistics around suicide in the construction industry. Inaction can be fatal. By acting now – you can save lives.
Still have questions?
Get in touch with MATES in Construction today to find out more about the program and how you can be a part of the change.