Mental health in construction within Australia, is a serious issue, and one that’s often overlooked. In Australia, we lose a construction worker every second day to suicide. That’s not just a statistic, that’s someone’s mate, someone’s family, someone who didn’t feel they could reach out. It’s heartbreaking, and it’s happening far too often.

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Construction workers are eight times more likely to die by suicide than from a workplace accident, and male construction workers are nearly twice as likely to take their own lives compared to the national average for employed men.

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Long hours, high-pressure environments, job insecurity, and a culture of “toughing it out” can make it hard for workers to speak up or seek help. But the cost of staying silent is too high. It’s time we change the conversation. Every person matters. Every life matters. And it starts with recognising that mental health is just as important as physical safety on-site.

Proudly Supporting MATES in Construction

We’re proud to stand alongside MATES in Construction, a charity doing incredible work to support mental health and prevent suicide across the construction industry.

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MATES was established in 2008 after research showed just how deeply our industry was struggling. Their message is simple but powerful: Mental health is everyone’s responsibility and no one should face it alone. Through on-site training, a 24/7 helpline, peer support, and case management, MATES equips workers to recognise the signs, check in on their mates, and reach out when they need help. They work across construction, mining, and energy sites nationwide, supporting thousands of workers every year. And importantly, they do this independently, not tied to any employer or union, just there to support the people in the industry. 

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What makes MATES truly stand out is how they deliver their programs. Their trainers often come directly from the industry, former tradies, supervisors, or project managers who understand what it’s really like on-site. This makes the conversations real, relatable, and impactful. They also provide in-depth training to volunteers within the workforce, known as Connectors, as well as ASIST-trained team members (Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training) who are ready to step in when someone needs support.

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Behind the scenes, MATES works closely with qualified mental health professionals to guide their training programs and offer support for more complex situations. While they’re not a clinical service, their model is about connecting workers to the right help at the right time, all starting with a conversation on-site.

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MATES Support Programs Include:

• General Awareness Training (GAT): A 45-minute session delivered on-site to raise awareness and encourage open conversations about mental health.
• Connector Training: A 4-hour course equipping volunteers to be the first point of support when a mate is struggling.
• ASIST Training: A 2-day suicide intervention workshop for those wanting to provide deeper peer support.
• 24/7 Helpline: Immediate, confidential support available anytime on 1300 642 111.
• Case Management: Ongoing, tailored support to help workers access professional services, financial aid, housing, or counselling.
• Field Officers on Site: Regular visits from trained MATES staff who stay connected with workers and provide visible, trusted support.

At Elite Construction Recruitment, we’re committed to donating a portion of our profits to help fund this life-saving work. Our contribution will go towards training more Connectors, expanding programs, and making sure help is always there when someone reaches out. ECR proudly support MATES because we care about more than just filling roles, we care about the well-being of every person behind those roles. Everyone deserves to go home safe, not just physically, but mentally too.

For more information or to donate to MATES in Construction, please visit their site here.

Elite Construction Recruitment Agency is an independent supporter of MATES in Construction. This support is not part of a formal partnership or endorsement.

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