Taking care of your mates

We should all be talking more about mental health – and PlaceMakers is supporting MATES in Construction to ensure those going through tough times are getting the help they need 

Working alongside industry partners such as PlaceMakers, MATES in Construction continues to raise awareness of the issue of suicide in our industry and encourage courageous mental health conversations among workers.

With one of the highest suicide rates of any industry in Aotearoa New Zealand, the construction sector is losing, on average, one person a week to suicide. In addition, we are nine times more likely to lose somebody to suicide than we are to a workplace accident.

The 2023 MATES Construction Industry Wellbeing Survey* of 2,000+ workers showed over a quarter of those surveyed found that the past 12 months had been among the most difficult times of their lives.

This is no surprise. Our industry continues to face persistent challenges – from extreme weather events and material shortages to economic uncertainty, inflation and high interest rates. Coupled with homelife stressors, such as lack of sleep and little time for self-care, it really is no wonder that our workers have had a tough time this past year.

To make matters worse, we’re not talking about it enough. The survey identified that two in five workers felt unable to talk to someone at work about their struggles.

There is an urgent need to promote suicide awareness and peer-to-peer support on work sites. That’s where MATES comes in.

MATES in action

Since 2019, MATES has delivered site-based suicide prevention training to more than 71,000 construction workers, over 80% of whom are male. Through their training, these individuals have learnt to recognise when they or their workmate is struggling and how to connect themselves or their workmate to support.

One in four workers said their MATES training had helped them find support for one or more co-workers, or someone else in their lives. One in five said their training had helped them to find support for themselves. The same number had asked for a call back from MATES. That’s over 3,500 workers who accessed support before reaching crisis point. 

But the impact of training doesn’t stop onsite. Workers take the knowledge into their daily lives, bringing attention to the issue of suicide and providing support to
their whānau and community.

An incredible 2,082 PlaceMakers workers have taken part in MATES training. The PlaceMakers network also has 102 ‘Connectors’; people who have volunteered to be the connection point between those in distress and support resources.  

One such resource is MATES Case Management; a team of clinical psychologists, counsellors, and social workers available via a support line for workers in distress. This service immediately connects those in need with someone who can help. 

In response to increasing demand, the MATES team has grown to deliver the programme in five regions across the motu. However, the MATES team cannot be everywhere. Having PlaceMakers branches championing its message of hope assists MATES to continue building strength, courage, and critical peer-to-peer support in our workforce.

If you or your mate are struggling, the MATES Support Line is available on 0800 111 315.

*The MATES Wellbeing Survey Report will be available on our website in April 2024.