MATES in Construction working to reduce the suicide rate in the trade

MATES in Construction was set up to turn round the alarming figures of suicide in the construction industry where the male dominated culture is said to be a contributing factor.

Heading for Kokoda: Beau Mehigan and Madison White who work for Gremmo Homes at Bella Vista listen to Kieran Toohey from MATES in Construction Photo: Macintype Design

SHOCKING figures show that construction workers are six times more likely to die by suicide than fatal accidents on site.

Mates in Construction which was set up to turn the figures around quotes statistics compiled by Griffith University in Queensland.

The statistics also show that construction workers are 70 per cent more likely to die by suicide than any other employed men in Australia.

Kieran Toohey a field officer with Mates in Construction operating in NSW said MIC runs three programs that are helping reduce the figures but the biggest stumbling block so far has been persuading employers to provide time for workers to take part in the program.

There are three courses. A free course of 45 minutes and a free four-hour course but also a two-day advanced course.

“The 45-minute course is about how to spot in your workmates are struggling. It’s about fixing a mate and getting them to help,” said Mr Toohey.

L-R: Kieran Toohey, Scott Crosweller (Managing Director, DATS) Madison White, Beau Mehigan and Richard Gremmo. Picture: Macintype Design

And it is making a difference. There has been an 8 per cent downward trend “a sheer miracle” says Mr Toohey, in suicide figures for construction workers since the MIC programs started.

He said the free four hour course run by MIC was about being a volunteer connector on the worksite and knowing how and where to connect people with the help they needed. The two-day course is an advanced First Aid for suicide awareness.

“The downward trend is miraculous, we have only touched about 10 per cent of the industry. imagine what could happen if we grew it more. These men and women are saving lives,” he said.

Mr Toohey, a concreter for seven years and a serving soldier for 13 years with several deployments to Afghanistan studied psychology when he left the army.

He said the shocking figures for the construction industry were due to it’s male dominated culture.

“It’s a culture where you don’t discuss problems with your peers, there is bullying and drinking fused with the life events everyone goes through. It’s an unfortunate recipe,” said Mr Toohey.

Being a male dominated culture has contributed to the shocking suicide rate in the construction industry.

The Mates in Construction Helpline is 1300 642 111. The website is matesinconstruction.org.au

To help raise money to expand the program MATES in Construction will be sending a team to Papua New Guinea in a few weeks to walk the challenging Kokoda Track on September 1.

Joining the team will be Madison White and Beau Mehigan who both work for the Hills-based construction company Gremmo Homes. Madison also works for the I Want2WORK project.

DATS Environmental Services, a national partner of MATES In Construction, is funding the team’s expedition costs.

Madison and Beau are now in training mode are aiming to raise $5000.

Beau, a front office manager at Gremmo Homes said: “It’s such a wonderful opportunity to have this experience and for such a great cause.

“I think the most testing thing (at Kokoda) will be the physical nature of the walk, the humidity and the length. I’ve heard its emotionally quite tough as well and that everyone cries at least once ... it’s going to be a life changing experience.”

Suicide prevention

For Madison having the chance to experience some of the conditions the soldiers faced in World War II is something she is looking forward to.

“I think it’s going to be one of those experiences that really pushes you to your absolute limits both mentally, physically and emotionally,” she said.

“I’m hoping to come back with a greater appreciation of not only what our soldiers endured for our country but also of the life I have here in Sydney today.”

They have both upped their personal fitness programs in the two months since they heard they were doing the trek..

“We’ve teamed up with the other three trekkers from Sydney and have been doing large treks every Sunday. They usually take between three to five hours and we carry weighted packs on our backs to get used to carrying weight as we will be on the trek,” said Madison.

If you want to help the dynamic duo reach their $5000 goal to help MATES in Construction visit https://mateskokoda2017.gofundraise.com.au/page/MadisonWhite