New Zealand and Australia based programme MATES in
Construction has received international acclaim for its work
in suicide prevention in the construction
industry.
MATES in Construction featured as an example
of world’s best practice in suicide prevention in a new
World Health Organisation (WHO) publication. The WHO’s
primary role is to advise and support Governments
internationally to implement health strategies.
The
international acclaim comes in “Live Life, An
Implementation Guide for Suicide Prevention”, a guide for
policy makers around the world.
MATES is the only
programme active in Aotearoa profiled in the guide, which is
an incredible accolade.
The MATES in Construction
programme is an onsite suicide prevention programme led by
industry that’s about encouraging construction workers to
look after each other seek, offer and accept help when its
needed.
Mates in Construction CEO Victoria McArthur
welcomed the international spotlight.
“It’s really
great to see our work profiled by such an influential
international organisation. It shows that the approach MATES
is taking is being held up globally as best
practice.
“Here in New Zealand, our construction
industry faces enormous challenges with mental health. We
are losing around one worker to suicide every week – the
highest of any industry.
“Our MATES in Construction
programme works by reaching workers directly on the job
site, led by people who have worked in the industry or have
real lived experience in the industry. With a predominantly
male workforce who may find it hard to reach out for help,
our approach breaks down those barriers.”
Since its
inception, MATES in New Zealand has:
• Inducted more
than 17,185 workers into the General Awareness Training
programme.
• Delivered the programme onto 257
sites.
• Had 1,868 call-backs requested after
attending a MATES training session.
• Trained 772
people as Connectors.
• Gained the support of 72
industry organisations.
The programme’s efficacy has
been recognised by Kāinga Ora, which has partnered with
MATES to roll out its suicide prevention programme on its
build sites.
“We’re continuing to expand our
programme to more sites. With record levels of construction
sector activity in the years ahead, it is more important
than ever than we have good programmes in place to support
our workers and their mental health,” says Victoria
McArthur.
The World Health Organization’s LIVE
LIFE: An Implementation Guide for Suicide Prevention in
Countries can be accessed at https://bit.ly/3xs1yac
