Construction is a rewarding and dynamic industry to work in, but it can also be a challenging one, where pressures are high with long hours and transient working conditions that can impact on our people’s mental health and wellbeing.
Mates helping mates
The construction industry loses more workers to suicide every year than any other industry in Aotearoa New Zealand. On average, one construction worker takes their own life every week.
The MATES in Construction programme has one aim – to reduce the number of lives lost to suicide in the construction industry. The results from last year’s Industry Wellbeing Survey conducted by MATES in Construction show that, despite the return of a semblance of normalcy, the industry is still in crisis.
Respondents reported similar or higher levels of anxiety and suicidal ideation compared to the previous year and lower levels of resilience when it comes to managing stress. Of those surveyed, 20% of respondents said they would find it difficult talking to someone and 10% would not speak to anyone if they were feeling down or depressed.
Fresh challenges to face
Alongside working in a male-dominated industry, long hours and ever-changing work environments, there are fresh challenges on the horizon for the mental health and wellbeing of those integral to our diverse industry. Financial stress is currently on the minds of many. The additional uncertainty of rising inflation, which is currently at a 30-year high, and cost of living increases – have made the past year a challenging time for all. These stressors are likely to continue well into 2023.
The recent weather events in the upper North Island will also go beyond the hundreds of millimetres of rain that have fallen, putting further pressure on the finances, relationships and wellbeing of those affected.
Uncertainty affects us all differently. Talking to people can help – it is important to look after one another while also recognising when you are feeling overwhelmed.
To start the year, MATES in Construction field officers have been out and about welcoming mates back to sites around the country, reminding our people of the importance of taking the time to talk about mental health and checking in with our mates.
Developing a sense of companionship
MATES recently spoke with an investment partner who shared some of the challenges facing our workforce. ‘There’s no longer such a thing as a 40-hour week. It can be 50 or more now,’ they said. ‘The other day, I left home at 6 o’clock in the morning and I got home after 6 that night. I see people’s lives dominated by work, so anything that can provide balance helps.
‘It helps people realise that everyone has the same worries and puts us all on the same wavelength. It gives you companionship, knowing that other guys on site are willing to help, and that anxiety or depression are normal parts of our lives.’
Part of that companionship is understanding your mates and being able to spot the invitations – changes in behaviour that you or your mate might be displaying.
Labour shortages and tight deadlines have put a premium on time and will continue to do so, making that 10 seconds of courage to check in on a mate as important as ever.
For more
Dentons Kensington Swan thanks Praneel and the fantastic team at MATES in Construction. If you or someone you know in the industry is struggling or needs help, call 0800 111 315. If you’re interested in helping MATES deliver the programme to more sites, visit mates.net.nz. You can also call or text 1737 to speak immediately with a counsellor. If it’s an emergency, call 111.