Mates in Construction

Published: 01 November 2019

MATES In Construction formally launched this week to improve awareness of the significance of suicide in the construction industry.

The programme is focused on opening up communication channels, changing on-site culture and improving knowledge of what can be done to prevent suicide in New Zealand’s construction industry.

One of the outcomes we are working toward in the Accord programme is to create an environment that better supports good mental health.

The industry-tailored solution MATES In Construction will:

  • deliver an on-site programme to give workers the skills to start discussions with someone that may be struggling on-site or even in their community
  • encourage people to understand the signals and to do something, and grasp the idea that suicide is everyone’s business
  • provide long-term support to people who need it, and establish a peer-based support programme in the workplace to encourage workers to offer help ‘when a mate is doing it tough.’ The MATES team includes Field Officers and Case Managers who deliver the programme and are available on-site.

MATES In Construction is being set up as a charity, and is initially rolling out across a number of sites in Auckland, including Commercial Bay, Pacifica, Westfield Newmarket, 10 Madden Street and the Sylvia Park expansion. MATES is also working alongside a number of leading organisations to deliver the programme. They are supported by Manukau, Northern and City Centre Jobs and Skills Hubs in Auckland, funded by MBIE.