Mates in Construction (MIC), an organisation to support the mental health of the construction industry, has turned 10 years old.
The program aims to improve the mental health and wellbeing of workers with the support of the construction industry, not just mental health professionals.
More than 75,000 workers have now joined the program across 1500 construction sites.
MIC CEO Jorgen Gullestrup said what began as a small Queensland operation in 2008, has grown to become one of the most pivotal mental health programs in the construction industry nation-wide.
“We have now trained an army of more than 10,000 construction workers to firstly recognise what are often only very small red flags, and to secondly, to know what to do about it, before it’s too late,” Mr Gullestrup said.
“Collectively, these incredible volunteers have reached more than 120,000 workers over the past decade, who have registered with the program, and have become our greatest weapon in the fight to keep our workers safe and well,” he said.
MIC data has shown that since the program was developed, suicide rates in the industry have fallen by eight per cent.
“Because of this incredible mateship and support network, we’ve turned around the lives of more than 5000 at-risk workers and prevent innumerable suicides,” he said.
“Often when things deteriorate, instead of talking to their mates or reaching out for help, workers in blue collar industries can tend to bottle it all up. They just don’t know how to reach out for help.”
For support contact Lifeline on 13 11 14
MATES in Construction
National Helpline: 1300 642 111
www.matesinconstruction.org.au
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