‘Significant distress’: Tradies’ secret crisis exposed

Shocking new survey findings have revealed many Aussie blue collar workers are guarding a health secret because of long-held stigmas.

Tradies are in a mental health crisis with one in two recently experiencing feelings of hopelessness and one in five keeping their problems a secret, shock new data reveals.

With Queensland construction workers up to the age of 44 two times more likely to take their own lives than the working-aged male population, the survey findings from Beyond Blue and Steel Blue on 900 blue collar workers have set off alarm bells.

The feedback showed one in three experienced high or very high levels of psychological distress in the 30 days before completing the survey.

More than half reported experiencing feelings of hopelessness and extreme sadness and just under half had felt worthless.

Steel Blue and Beyond Blue urged workers and employers to break the stigma around mental health to break the cycle of 20 per cent of workers claiming they wouldn’t tell anyone if they had depression.

One in 20 thought depression was a sign of personal weakness, rather than a medical condition.

“What this survey is telling us is that mental health problems are common among tradies, causing significant distress, though many still feel embarrassed to speak openly or seek assistance. That’s why initiatives like Steel Blue’s collaboration with Beyond Blue is a real game changer. It opens up the conversation and reminds tradies who are experiencing mental health problems that they’re not alone and it’s worth accessing the excellent support out there which can literally change people’s lives and help them get back on track.” Dr Grant Blashki, a clinical Adviser from Beyond Blue said

Steel Blue chief executive Garry Johnson said that tradies are also at risk of impacting their physical health during times of stress.

When it comes to seeking help for a mental health issue, one in five of the workers said they wouldn’t seek support for their own mental health and wellbeing with a further one in three reporting being unsure of how to protect their mental health in times of stress.

When asked what supports they had accessed the most common response was to speak to a friend or family member (40 per cent) followed by a GP (28 per cent), a psychologist (19 per cent) and a work colleague or manager (16 per cent).

Half said that poor mental health had an impact on their physical health. This may be due to poor self-care with not enough exercising, getting adequate sleep, drinking alcohol in moderation and avoiding illicit drugs.