Link copied!

Disclaimer: This article discusses suicide and mental health.

With World Suicide Prevention Day and R U OK? Day coming up tomorrow, it is a good time to pull back for a second and talk about how we are actually doing on site.

The reality of Australia’s construction sector is tough to digest: construction workers are six times more likely to die by suicide than from a workplace accident, and we lose a construction worker every second day. Over 98% of those we lose are blokes. Those aren’t just figures on a chart, they’re subbies, apprentices, long-time mates, and family members.

A big part of why the construction industry feels like such a pressure cooker comes down to the volatile nature of the work. Construction is notorious for brutal boom-and-bust cycles. One minute you’re pulling 60-hour weeks trying to hit deadlines, stretched to absolute capacity, dealing with material shortages, and running on pure exhaustion. The next, interest rates shift, projects get shelved, and you’re carrying the stress of cash flow, machinery finance payments, and keeping a business afloat.

That unpredictable cycle, paired with physical wear and tear and an old-school culture that tells us to “harden up”, creates a perfect storm. Pressure builds up fast, and too many blokes try to carry it alone.

That’s where MATES in Construction comes in. MATES was founded right here in Australia to break down that silence across sites nationwide. Instead of sitting through corporate slide decks, MATES trains real people on sites to look out for one another, bridge the gap to professional support, and build a culture where speaking up is just part of looking out for your crew.

You don’t need to be a counselor or have some grand speech prepared to make a difference. Most of the time, it comes down to noticing when someone’s vibe changes. Maybe they’re unusually quiet, short-tempered, or just looking completely worn out, taking ten seconds to ask how they’re doing can make all the difference.

A simple “Hey mate, you seem a bit off lately, everything alright?” goes a long way. You don’t have to fix their problems on the spot. Just putting your tools down, listening without judgment, and letting them know you’ve got their back can make all the difference.

Where to Turn for Support

If things are feeling heavy for you or someone you work with, don’t carry it alone:

• MATES in Construction 24/7 Helpline: Call 1300 642 111
• Lifeline: Call 13 11 14 or text 0477 13 11 14
• Beyond Blue: Call 1300 22 4636
• Your Workplace EAP: Ask your employer if confidential counseling is available through an Employee Assistance Program.

Checking in on a mate takes ten seconds out of your day, make sure you take it.