while last year Australian researchers from a range of universities called pandemic conditions a “perfect storm” of risk factors for construction worker mental health and suicide risk.The construction industry is a predominantly male workforce, and statistics show that this is a cohort less likely to seek help when they are experiencing mental struggles.
Construction work tends to be transient, with many workers employed on a project basis that could last anywhere from weeks or months to a few years. But the biggest pressure point across the construction industry right now is the inability to deliver to agreed timelines. “That’s why a big focus for us is celebrating small wins and milestones. We need to create a safe space where people are enjoying what they do every day, not just waiting for the end result.
“Mental health awareness is a big part of my life. I work one-on-one with a wellness coach, Nam Baldwin, and where I can I like to share those lessons with the team,” he says.