ONE-HUNDRED-AND-NINETY construction industry employees die by suicide each year in Australia, and State Member for Light, Tony Piccolo MP, wants our community to be part of the mission to reverse the trend.
Local Gawler resident Alan Suridge who serves as the Mates in Construction’s South Australian Chief Executive Officer, said while the event might have been based in Adelaide, their services are there to support people in our region as well.
“It was heartening to see 450 people including politicians from both sides, leaders of unions, employer associations, building companies and onsite workers coming together to support Mates in Construction and the work we do to improve the mental health of construction workers and their families,” Mr Suridge said.
“Mates in Construction services are available at no cost to employers in the Gawler and Barossa region through funding provided by the Country SA PHN. We provide workplace education around suicide and mental health and then follow it up with ongoing support to workers and employers creating safer, more resilient workplaces.”
Mr Piccolo attended Mates in Construction SA’s Annual Fundraising Lunch at Adelaide Oval this month, which helps raise vital funds to support workers in construction and allied industries through strategic, innovative and evidence-based suicide prevention and mental health programs.
Established in 2008 and serving South Australia since 2012, Mates in Construction deliver programs aimed to encourage everyone across the industry to play their part, not just leave the work to the professionals.
Mr Piccolo, who is also part of the Northern and Gawler Men’s Wellbeing Network, praised Mates in Construction’s work and said, “the collective efforts of mental health organisations within our communities assists in dismantling the stigma surrounding the topic.”
“By fostering a culture of openness and care, we’re preventing tragedies and empowering those impacted to lead fuller, healthier and happier lives,” Mr Piccolo said.
Minister for Health and Wellbeing, the Hon Chris Picton MP, said State Government is focussed on reducing the rate and the effects of suicide.
“Construction workers are eight times more likely to die from suicide than an accident at work…and for every person lost to suicide, up to 135 people are affected to some degree,” Minister Picton said.
“Our government is providing $240,000 over 4 years to support the fantastic work of Mates…(who) change behaviour at sites by building understanding and recognition of signs and symptoms of mental distress and having that openness to talk about everyday struggles.
“It’s about changing the culture, encouraging help seeking, help offering and supporting recovery.”
Mates in Construction has trained over 313,000 workers Australia-wide, including 35,000 people in South Australia in suicide prevention general awareness.
For more information about Mates in Construction and to donate, visit www.mates.org.au
If you or someone close to you is experiencing a mental health emergency and is at immediate risk of harm, call triple zero (000) and ask for an ambulance.