MENTAL HEALTH IN TOUGH TIMES

In times of economic uncertainty and stress, just as we are experiencing right now, it is not unusual for mental health to be negatively affected. While the main focus for many will likely be on keeping their businesses afloat, keeping staff employed, or, from the other side, worrying about whether their jobs are safe, Site Safe Chief Executive Brett Murray says now is the time to make mental health a priority

Paying the bills and keeping your business – and your team – afloat will be top of mind for many of us right now, as we navigate these unchartered waters.

But it’s exactly times like these that we need to be looking after ourselves and our mates. The statistics are bleak. Research conducted by Site Safe has shown that work-related factors, such as the stress of running a business, contributed to nearly a third of suicides in construction between 2007 to 2017. Job uncertainty was a contributing factor in one in eight suicides.

Research undertaken in Australia has shown that economic downturns, such as the Global Financial Crisis, can increase thedisparities in occupational suicide rates. Rates among unskilled workers, such as labourers, have been seen to increase from three to six times greater than among the highest skilled group, and four-fold among technical and trade workers. Another Australian study showed that labourers had much higher suicide rates during the GFC compared to higher skilled occupations.

Here in New Zealand, suicide prevention organisation ‘MATES in Construction NZ’ says it has already noticed an increase in people seeking help, particularly from workers feeling anxious due to the uncertainty around if they will be among those made redundant.

This all drives home a sobering fact – tough times can put not only our livelihoods but our mental wellbeing at risk. So, if you, a mate, or anyone you know is struggling, now is the time to speak up. Have that conversation with your workmate or pick up the phone and ask for help.

If you’re not sure where to start, organisations such as Site Safe, MATES in Construction, and the Mental Health Foundation are a good place to start. On the Site Safe website, you’ll find a free Mental Health Pocket Guide, which contains practical tips on how to start a conversation about mental health.

MATES in Construction NZ is a great resource for the industry, with programmes designed specifically to enable workers in the industry to support each other. The MATES team builds an on-site community of teammates equipped to connect each other to the help they need. In a nutshell, it’s all about teaching workers how to look after their mates and empowering them to ask for help.

MATES is working with businesses on how they can improve communication with staff, and has just released an online resource aimed at helping those in the industry cope during tough times. Visit mates.net.nz for more information.

Another great resource is the Mental Health Foundation’s guide for workplace leaders on wellbeing at work during Covid-19 – this looks at common causes of stress and the impact of Covid-19 on mental health: mentalhealth.org.nz/get-help/getting-through-together/workplace-wellbeing.

Their Open Minds resources are also full of useful information to equip employers and managers with the skills they need to have conversations about mental health: mentalhealth.org.nz/home/our-work/category/40/open-minds-for-employers.

Site Safe is working to improve understanding of these issues by supporting Massey University’s research into how men in construction seek help for mental health issues: sitesafe.org.nz/news–events/news/where-do-contruction-workers-go-for-help.

Initial results from this study are expected next year, with the end goal of providing practical tips on improving mental health in the construction industry. Site Safe is also supporting ground-breaking research into how stress affects workers and decision-making in the construction industry: sitesafe.org.nz/news–events/news/stress-research.

Findings from this Massey research initiative are expected later this year.

Site Safe is a not-for-profit, membership-based organisation that supports a culture of health and safety in New Zealand construction. For more information go to: www.sitesafe.org.nz

 

Where to go for more help:

Need to Talk?

Free call or text 1737 anytime for support from a trained counsellor at the Mental Health Foundation.

Mates in Construction

0800 111315

Lifeline

0800 543 354

(0800 LIFELINE)

Youthline

0800 376 633

free text 234 or email talk@youthline.co.nz or online chat

Samartians

0800 726 666