Jorgen GullestrupMATES in Construction

MENTAL HEALTH AT WORK.

DO WE KNOW WHAT WORKS?

ABOUT MATES IN CONSTRUCTION

• An independent charity

• Established by the BERT fund

• Working on suicide prevention in construction

1300 642 111

Suicide overviewABS – 2014 Suicide Rates:All Australians – 2,864 Men – 2,160Women – 7041.7% of all deaths in Australia were suicidePopulation: 23,125,868

SuicideSuicide1 in 9169

Underreporting 20%

1 in 7335

Suicide Attempts1 in 500

Suicide Thoughts1 in 20

Diagnosable Mental Health Issues

1 in 5

MENTAL HEALTH

• 1 in 5 will experience a diagnosable mental health condition each year

• 1 in 2 will experience it over a life time

• Relationship between work and mental health

• Cost 3-4% of GDP

48 59 186 188 235

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1380

2864

FORCES OF NATURE

FIRE AND SMOKE DROWNINGS WORKPLACE FATALITIES

ASSAULT ACCIDENTAL POISENING

ROAD TOLL SUICIDE

Causes of Death ‐ 2014

Suicide vs Road Toll

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Gun Laws

National Suicide Prevention Strategy

WHAT IS KNOWN

• Martin, G. & Page, A., (2009). National Suicide Prevention Strategies: a Comparison. The University of Queensland.

• Knox, K. et. Al. (2010). The US Air Force Suicide Prevention Programs: Implications for Public Health Policy. American Journal of Public Health 2010, Vol 100, No 12 pp 2457 -2463

• Miller, A., Page, K., Spencer-Thomas, S. & Lamontange, A.D., (2015) Workplace Suicide Prevention: A systematic review of published and unpublished activities, Health Promotion International 2015 Mar 30 (1):pp 29-37

THE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY

• We all knew there was a problem

• 1 in 5 BERT payouts was from suicide

• AISRAP found significantly elevated suicide rates generally

• Young workers (15‐24 years) had suicide rates 2.38 times the national average for men

• Industry based but workplace focused

• Independent of unions and employers

• Never charge for services provided

• Using known and tried principles working in the industry.

The MIC model

General Awareness Training

1. Suicide is a preventable problem – everyone has a role to play

2. Tip over points

3. What does it look like when a mate “tip over”?

4. How to connect up to help

The MIC model

Connector Training

1. A connectors role

2. Self‐care and boundaries

3. SafeTALK

4. What happens when you connect someone to help

The MIC model

Asist

1. Suicide First Aid

2. Self‐care and boundaries

3. Livingworks / Lifeline

The MIC model

ASSIST

SURVEY OF 11 MIC ACCREDITED SITES

300 workers on 11 MIC Accredited sites

• 91% Aware of the key functions of MIC• 95% had learned something new• 95% found MIC workers approachable• 97% found message clear and understandable• 91% felt it should be compulsory on all sites• 95% felt they now knew where to get help• 92% felt they could now recognise signs• 94% said they realised the importance of suicide prevention in their industry

* Independent survey by Footprint Research.

ASSIST WORKER INTERVIEWS

69 ASSIST workers were interviewed

• 71% found the role highly compatible with their work• 82% Found their workplace highly supportive of their role• 96% Would recommend the program to future employers• 59% had used their ASIST skills since doing the training• 68 ASSIST workers had combined done 231 interventions• 67 in the past three months• 208 had by a person in need that they were contemplating suicide• Other ASSIST workers, Supervisors, Field Officers, Colleagues and the 1300 MIC 

111 number were mentioned as useful resources• 62% found ASIST useful outside work• 77% would be prepared to leave site to go to another site to support a Connector 

if required

* Conducted by Awareness Australia for MATES in Construction via phone.

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PROPORTION OF DEATH PAYOUTS

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Sui%

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Linear (Sui%)

*Professor Graham Martin, Dr Sarah Swannell, Dr Allison Millner, Dr Rod Ling & Professor Chris Doran “A Five Year Outcome Study of a Suicide Prevention Program in the Queensland Construction Industry”

QUESTIONS?

FURTHER INFO OR ASSISTANCE

HELPLINE (24/7)

1300 642 111

Matesinconstruction.org.au