Simon Tyler researching high rates of suicide within construction industry

Simon Tyler had been in construction for 10 years, but turned to uni after workmates took their lives. Now he’s trying to better understand the industry’s shockingly high rate of suicide.

A former construction worker-turned-psychology honours student is now focusing his attention on how to stop the soaring rates of suicide within his former industry.

The 32-year-old is currently doing a PhD in suicidology at Uni SA and hopes the research he does will make a real difference in saving lives in the future.

Adelaide’s Simon Tyler, who worked in the construction industry for almost 10 years from the time he was 17, was touched by the suicide of workmates.

Shocking statistics reveal construction workers suicide at a rate of one every two days – or about 190 a year.

Mr Tyler said the construction is a close-knit industry and the deaths by suicide leave a heartbreaking hole, something he is desperate to address.

Former construction worker Simon Tyler gave up the industry to study psychology - now he is doing a PhD in suicidology to help is former mates in the industry. Picture: Naomi Jellicoe

He said understanding why the prevalence of suicide was so high was the first step to devising evidence-based prevention measures.

“Suicide is a multifactorial issue with many potential drivers,” he said.

“I hope that the work being done leads to a decrease in negative mental health and suicide outcomes.

“With a large amount of uncertainty in the industry as a result of a potential decrease in work due to COVID-19, the research and support becomes even more relevant.”

Mr Tyler is being sponsored by Mates in Construction, an integrated mental health charity established in response to growing number of suicides in the construction industry.

Mates in Construction case worker Amanda Braddock agreed the statistics were disturbing.

“What we know happens, particularly in a male-dominated workforce such as construction, is there is a reluctance to seek help immediately and unfortunately that means people aren’t reaching out – if at all – until it gets to crisis point,” she said.

“We need to normalise that it is OK to seek help if you are having a difficult time.

“That is the take home message, we want people to know there is support out there, it is completely free and confidential, and there is no shame in seeking help.

“Ultimately, whatever the issue is, we want to get in front of it before it gets to crisis point.”