*This article contains references to suicide - anyone experiencing emotional distress is encouraged to seek immediate help*

Researchers are investigating what drives suicidal thoughts in the Australian construction industry.

Long work hours and job insecurity are taking a heavy toll on Australian builders, with many experiencing high levels of distress due to the industry's demands. 

The construction sector, known for its transient nature, physically demanding labour, and risk-taking culture, pushes some workers to the brink of unendurable emotional strain. 

This has resulted in approximately 190 suicides within the Australian construction industry annually - one worker losing their life about every second day.

In response to this alarming crisis, a joint study by the University of South Australia and mental health charity MATES in Construction (MATES) has investigated the drivers and experiences of suicidal thoughts and psychological distress among industry workers. 

The research aimed to identify coping strategies used during challenging times and proposed solutions to mitigate the risks faced by these workers.

The study involved interviews with construction industry workers from various roles, in which they shared their personal encounters with suicidal thoughts or experiences supporting colleagues through similar struggles. 

The research uncovered eight common themes contributing to distress and suicidal thoughts among workers. These included the pressures directly associated with working in the industry, such as long working hours, stress from workplace instability, and job insecurity.

According to Simon Tyler, a UniSA PhD candidate from the UniSA Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Research and Education Group, these issues have intensified in recent times and play a significant role in driving suicidal thoughts and distress.

However, the study also revealed other factors impacting workers, including personal issues like relationship problems, social disconnection, financial hardships, perceived lack of support, alcohol and drug use, child custody/access and legal issues, mental health challenges, trauma, or major adverse life events. 

Many participants also highlighted the stigma around mental health and suicide among workmates that limits them reaching out for help.

“I think it’s just the stigma,” said one participant. 

“If you have a broken arm people can see and touch and feel it … but mental health. You cannot touch it and feel it and it’s not accepted.”

Other participants discussed thoughts of feeling trapped and overwhelmed.

“… to get me away from that situation, I was either going to take my life or I was going to quit,” one participant said.

“… you feel like you are suffocating. Like, you know, how the f*** am I going to get out of all this?” another stated.

Tyler says for the construction industry, suicide is a significant concern.

“It’s a confronting reality – that one worker every second day is taking their own lives,” he said.

“The nature of the construction industry can be challenging with workplace drivers such as employment uncertainty, as well as industry cultures that encourage self-reliance attitudes and behaviours, but it’s also a sector that is determined to change and help better the lives of the people it employs.”

To address this crisis, MATES in Construction is attempting to reduce suicide rates within the industry and promote mental health awareness and peer support skills among workers. The group has compiled a three-tiered awareness program that trains workers to recognise signs of distress in their colleagues and provides them with information on where to seek help. In addition, the organisation offers free counselling and support services to workers in need.

Since implementing these programs, MATES says it has trained over 237,000 industry workers, leading to an estimated 8 per cent drop in suicide risk in the sector.

The study is accessible here.