MATES in Construction WA

MATES in Construction WA are proud to launch our Research Study in collaboration with The University of Western Australia, Constructing a Safer Industry. On Friday, we welcomed academics, industry bodies, partners and corporate leaders to the launch of this research at The University Club of Western Australia. This event was sponsored by the Construction Training Fund. Thank you to Tiffany Allen for your insightful address at this event, and to the greater CTF team for supporting the launch of this research. We welcomed MATES WA CEO, Liam Cubbage, to present the findings for our research, 'Constructing a Safer Industry'. This research was initiated by MATES WA in collaboration with The University of Western Australia’s Suicide Prevention and Resilience Research Centre (SPARRC), and underscored the need for targeted organisational mental health interventions, the promotion of supportive work practices, and state policy changes. We also welcomed Jordan Jackson to present his research on 'Understanding Stigma: An analysis of help-seeking and help-offering attitudes in the FIFO Industry', in collaboration with the Australian Institute for Suicide Research and Prevention at Griffith University. We look forward to bringing further attention to the research findings and recommendations to industry. MATES WA CEO, Liam Cubbage, said "By addressing these challenges, the construction industry can take meaningful steps towards reducing suicide rates and promoting a safer, healthier work environment". To download the research report, please go to: https://lnkd.in/gKCKWnXf The MATES Helpline is free and available 24/7 for construction workers and their families: 1300 642 111. #ConstructingASaferIndustry #MATESinConstructionWA #mateshelpingmates

International Men’s Day celebrates the positive value men bring to the world, their families and communities, and this year the highlight is on positive role models and raising awareness of men’s well-being. On behalf of the MATES team, we want to celebrate and thank men within the construction industry that embrace the MATES Program, support their mates, and put their hand up when they need support for themselves. On International Men's Day let's honour the strength, resilience, and kindness of men in every role they play – as sons, brothers, fathers, mentors, and mates. Let's celebrate the men in our lives today and everyday! The MATES Helpline is free and available 24/7: 1300 642 111 #mateshelpingmates #internationalmensday2024

Registrations are officially open for the MATES Apprentice Resilience Program on Wednesday 11th December! This brand new training offered by MATES in Construction WA for the construction industry is designed to prepare apprentices for the world of construction, boost resilience among apprentices and increase retention. This strength-focused training draws on the knowledge of the participants in the group and gets the discussion going about how we can support ourselves and each other. The program covers skill development in: • Resilience and Self-care • Workplace Bullying • Workplace Rights • Financial Management • Alcohol and Other Drugs • Suicide and Mental Health Much alike our other training within the MATES Program, this training program is evidence-based and was developed based on recommendations from the 2020 Australian Institute for Suicide Prevention and Griffith University Report. This research identified that apprentices and young workers in the construction industry are overrepresented in the incidence and impact of bullying and mental health, and are at a higher risk of suicide. By investing into our apprentices and giving them the tools for their career ahead of them, we can build a suicide-safer industry and community. To register for this training and for more details, go to: https://lnkd.in/g3KVDQqn The MATES Helpline is free and available 24/7: 1300 642 111 #mateshelpingmates #MATESApprenticeResilienceProgram

Celebrating leadership in mental health and suicide prevention in the construction industry! We had the honour of presenting the next 2024 MATES Leadership Award to an incredible champion for mental health and suicide prevention within her team. Congratulations to Group Safety & Assets Manager at Summit Homes Group, Stephanie Maitland! This award signifies hard work and dedication toward creating a safer, more supportive environment within the workplace, and we are so proud to be able to present this award to Stephanie in front of her work peers. The MATES mission is built on the simple idea that suicide is everyone's business, and it takes individuals like Stephanie within workplaces and communities to make a real difference to the people around them. Simple acts of kindness and offers of support can help save lives. Thank you and congratulations, Stephanie, for making a difference. The MATES Helpline is free and available 24/7: 1300 642 111 #MATESLeadershipAward2024 #SummitHomes

Last week we joined the Freo Group Pty Ltd team for a toolbox on site at their Head Office in Hope Valley. We were honoured to acknowledge and surprise our next winner of the 2024 MATES Leadership Award to National Health and Wellbeing Manager, Peter Papas. This year, we have decided to present the award to these incredible workers in their workplace, in front of their peers. Peter was nominated and a finalist for the 2023 Leadership Awards. A note from within his nomination: "Peter's commitment to psychosocial wellbeing matters within the company is unquestioned, with works often not stopping at regular office hours. Peter places astute focus on the mental wellbeing of his staff and remains dedicated to improving the everyday lives of FREO group employees". The MATES Leadership Awards are presented to a select few workers within the WA construction industry to celebrate and thank them for prioritising mental health within the workplace. It was a pleasure to present this award to Peter alongside his team recently. He has always welcomed and encouraged support from the MATES team to his staff, is a proactive Connector and ASIST trained volunteer, and is a go-to person that his team can go to if they are not travelling well. Congratulations, Peter, on this well deserved award. Thank you to the team from Freo Group Pty Ltd for the warm welcome on site, and for organising this surprise for your colleague! The MATES Helpline is free and available 24/7: 1300 642 111 #MATESLeadershipAward2024 #FreoGroup

MATES in Construction WA are proud and excited to announce our new State Industry Partnership with JRC Civils! When discussing the reason for coming on board as an Industry Partner with MATES WA, JRC Civils said: "At JRC Civils, we are deeply committed to the well-being of our workforce and the broader construction community in Western Australia. The decision to sponsor MATES in Construction WA was driven by our recognition of the critical role mental health and well-being play in the safety and productivity of our industry. MATES in Construction WA has a proven track record of delivering effective mental health and suicide prevention programs tailored specifically for the construction industry. Their proactive approach aligns perfectly with our values at JRC Civils, where we prioritise the health and safety of our employees. By partnering with MATES, we aim to contribute to creating a supportive environment where workers feel empowered to seek help and support one another. We believe that fostering a culture of openness and resilience is essential for the future of the construction sector. This partnership underscores our commitment to making a positive impact on the lives of our team members and the wider construction community in Western Australia. Together, we can build a stronger, healthier industry, where every worker feels valued and supported." Thank you to the team at JRC Civils for demonstrating a commitment to raising the standard of mental health in the construction industry. The MATES Helpline is free and available 24/7: 1300 642 111 #MATESIndustryPartner #mateshelpingmates

MATES in Construction WA are holding an Apprentice Only Connector on Tuesday 5th November at the South Metropolitan TAFE Rockingham Campus. This is an open session for apprentices to upskill in suicide prevention skills, and be able to connect a mate that may be struggling into professional support services. This free training is recognised by the World Health Organisation as World's Best Practice. Apprentices will learn: • What is a Connector’s role? • What is not a Connector’s role? • How to be alert to the signs of suicide. • How to ask about suicide. • How to connect a person to help. • How to look after yourself as a Connector. • The help that a MATES Case Manager can offer To book your apprentice/s into this session for November, click on the below link or contact MATES WA Field Officer Leon King at lking@mates.org.au. https://lnkd.in/gvt2s9fy. The MATES Helpline is free and available 24/7: 1300 642 111 #MATESConnector #mateshelpingmates

We recently joined the ABN Group team for multiple toolboxes and a morning tea at their HQ in Leederville. We were honoured to also acknowledge our next winner of the 2024 MATES Leadership Award to Learning & Development Specialist, Judit Varga. This year, we have decided to present the award to these incredible workers in their workplace, in front of their peers. Judit has been an ambassador for positive mental health and suicide prevention within her workplace. As a Connector trained volunteer, she has also referred several people that she has supported into MATES Case Management. We presented this award to Judit on her final day of work at ABN Group, and we know she will have a similar impact on her new team! Congratulations, Judit, on this well deserved award. Thank you to the team from ABN Group for the warm welcome, and for organising this surprise for your colleague! The MATES Helpline is free and available 24/7: 1300 642 111 #MATESFlyTheFlag24 #WorldSuicidePreventionDay

Congratulations to all who participated in the Dry Spell for MATES challenge! Today is day 100, and is the final day of Dry Spell! Donations will remain open until 11/10/2024. For final donations, please go to: https://lnkd.in/etcGP5vZ The Dry Spell for MATES challenge is a health-boosting challenge where participants chose to give something up to raise awareness and funds for MATES in Construction WA. The 100-day "Full Strength" challenge and the 50-day "Mid Strength" challenge had over 100 participants this year, with an incredible 365 total donations to support them. We have loved hearing about the Dry Spell throughout the industry, and we would like to thank everyone who has supported MATES through this fundraising initiative this year. Dry-Fecta Day on 20th September was a matched giving day supported by Red Dust Holdings, Melchor, Halo Civil Engineering, Paragon Scaffolding Services Pty Ltd, and Meales Concrete Pumping. Thank you to these organisations for their generosity and support. The funds from Dry Spell get pumped straight back into supporting the construction industry with boots-on-ground support for industry workers and their family members. The MATES Helpline is free and available 24/7 for construction workers and their family members. If you or a mate need some support at the moment, call 1300 642 111. #DrySpellForMATES2024 #itsmycause

YOU BEAUTY! The response from the industry has been epic - thank you all for helping Dry Spell for MATES reach the matching target. Whilst the matching element of today has come to a close, please don't let that stop you. Donations remain open throughout the rest of Dry-Fecta Day. Thank you to all who have donated! What an incredible morning. Together with the generous matched giving organisations, you have raised over $37,500 for MATES in Construction WA. https://lnkd.in/etcGP5vZ The MATES Helpline is free and available 24/7: 1300 642 111 #DrySpellForMATES2024 #suicidepreventionawareness