MATES create a network of workers on sites across the country who are equipped with the tools they need to help a mate who’s doing it tough.
Established in 2008, MATES in Construction is an industry-backed, research-based, suicide prevention charity working to reduce the high rates of suicide across construction, mining, energy and more recently, manufacturing.
Here are some statistics that reveal what workers in our key industries are exposed to…
Six times more likely to die by suicide than a workplace accident
We lose a worker every second day to suicide which is around 200 people a year
Suicide rates are 80 per cent higher than the general working population
To date, the MATES program has rolled out General Awareness Training (GAT) to 250,000 workers across the Australia and of those, 23,000 inspired workers have raised their hand to become volunteer Connectors.
A Connector is trained by MATES Field Officers to recognise the signs a workmate might be struggling with life and keep them safe while connecting them to help.
The third part of the MATES program is ASIST training; a more intensive, suicide prevention first-aid course. Over 3,000 workers have completed this course, equipping them with skills that might save a life – at work, at home and within their communities.
But we’re not done yet.
While suicide rates in our industries have been gradually declining since we launched the MATES program, we won’t stop until we we’ve reached and trained as many of our workers as we can – because, with the right tools, we know suicide is preventable.
MATES has those tools.
Contact MATES to find out how we can lighten the load on your site. Reach out to us via our website mates.org.au/training-support
Or if you are struggling and need direct support, call our free 24/7 Helpline on 1300 642 111.