Raising awareness of mental health with ‘Mates in Construction’
CPP has supported ‘Mates in Construction’ as a sponsor for six years, updating their status to a silver sponsor this year.
190 construction workers take their own lives every year, and they are six times more likely to die from suicide than in an accident at work. With consideration to these astonishing figures, CPP provides staff the opportunity to learn about mental health within the construction industry, and how to support others around them.
Mates in Construction offers three types of training. Firstly, there’s general awareness training, which is provided to everyone. This training introduces workers to mental health issues and encourages open discussions about their well-being. Additionally, it equips them with practical skills to support their colleagues. Secondly, there’s connector training, which is conducted on-site for those interested in volunteering as connectors. Connectors are trained to provide immediate support to individuals in crisis situations. Lastly, there’s ASIST training (Assisted Suicide Intervention Skills Training), that prepares individuals to become ASIST workers, akin to first aid officers on-site. ASIST workers offer counselling and expert assistance to individuals in crisis, aiming to develop a comprehensive safety plan for them.
Additional studies indicate that employees encounter challenges when it comes to expressing their emotions and sentiments with co-workers in the workplace. Moreover, the nature of their tasks exacerbates the hurdles in seeking social support. A notable issue identified is the perception of ‘masculinity,’ particularly among male workers who fear being perceived as less manly. Those involved in the research firmly believe that suicide is often seen as a spontaneous action, with individuals contemplating it showing no prior indications or willingness to discuss their struggles.
Carl Hogg, CPP’s Head of Safety and Quality, emphasized, “Within our business, we recognize that our people are our greatest asset; they are fundamental to our success. Sadly, statistics show that construction workers are eight times more likely to pass away from suicide than to die from a workplace accident. In response, MATES in Construction offers an invaluable service that we are proud to utilize in supporting our workforce.”
Mr. Hogg explains that partnering with MATES enables CPP to implement the General Awareness Training (GAT) across all ongoing projects. He outlined that this initiative has already yielded positive results, empowering CPP employees and contractors to realise they are not alone in their struggles.
“Witnessing the impact, many of our workers who have completed the GAT Training have expressed interest in further MATES training to become Connectors. This role equips them to support their colleagues and friends on site, providing a vital point of contact for those in need of the assistance MATES offers.”
