Construction-focused mental health service sees a busy first year, minister promises support

At least once a week, Raman Lee receives a call about a construction worker somewhere in central Auckland who is at risk of suicide or facing significant mental health issues.

Lee is a senior field officer for Mates, an organization that works specifically to support the well-being of construction workers. He received $600,000 as part of the unique Mental Wellbeing Innovation fund, which was launched last year. The fund contributed $1.2 million in total.

The construction industry faces particular challenges, Lee said. A largely male-dominated workforce struggled with issues related to toxic masculinity, and Mates’ preventative work had focused on educating people on why they should take care of themselves. There was hesitancy to seek help, or even go to a doctor, she said.

Construction sites had a young workforce. There were also issues related to drug use and bullying, other Mates workers said.

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There was also stress from what happened between jobs. Tradies often found themselves out of a job after finishing a project, creating financial stress for their families. These tensions built up.

a study of Maths and the University of Otagolast year, it found that construction workers are more than twice as likely as the rest of the New Zealand workforce to die by suicide.

Mates settled in New Zealand a year ago after improving mental health among Australian construction workers. Her director, Victoria McArthur, said they knew there was a greater need for support in the trades, but were surprised by how busy her first year had been.

During a meeting on Wednesday, he asked Health Minister Andrew Little to extend the funding beyond a year so work can start to hire more staff and extend the service.

Little said the initial funding was to test how the Mates in Construction program would work.

“Anything we can do to support this workforce, which is growing by the day, we will support, especially as it teaches communities about mental health,” he said.

Across Parliament, the debate on preventive mental health services has, in recent years, focused on specific industries and groups.

National mental health spokesman Matt Doocey said it was important to fund solutions that work with communities.

“What that means is that suicide prevention for dairy farmers is going to be very different than the approach you have on suicide prevention for youth,” he said, at an election event focused on suicide prevention last week.

Little said the government was already looking at specific programs to support industries where there were higher rates of mental illness.

“We had a specific package for the tourism industry and provided additional support to small business owners last year. We provide quite a bit of support to organizations dealing with rural communities, specifically farmers, as we are aware of their specific needs,” he said.

Where to get help

• 1737, do you need to talk? Call toll-free or text 1737 to speak with a trained counselor.

• anxiety new zealand 0800 ANXIETY (0800 269 4389)

• depression.org.nz 0800 111 757 or text 4202

• kids line 0800 54 37 54 for people up to 18 years old. Open 24/7.

• Life line 0800 543 354

• Mental Health Foundation 09 623 4812, Click here to access their free resource and information service.

• Rural Support Trust 0800 787 254

• samaritans 0800 726 666

• Suicide Crisis Helpline 0508 828 865 (0508 TAUTOKO)

• Supporting families with mental illness 0800 732 825

• thelowdown.co.nz Web chat, email chat or free text 5626

• What’s the matter 0800 942 8787 (for young people from 5 to 18 years old). Phone counseling available Monday through Friday from noon to 11 pm and weekends from 3 pm to 11 pm Online chat is available from 3 pm to 10 pm daily.

• youth line 0800 376 633, free text 234, email [email protected] find online chat and other support options here.

• If it’s an emergency, Click here to find the number of your local crisis assessment team.

• In a life-threatening situation, call 111.