The Western Australian Government has marked this week’s R U OK? Day by flying the MATES in Construction flag at WA Parliament House and announcing a $310,000 grant to the organisation. The money will be used to raise mental health awareness among construction and Fly In Fly Out [FIFO] workers.
WA Health Minister Roger Cook says the government is flying the flag because workers, their families, and the whole community need to hear the message that “it's OK to look after your mental health and wellbeing and to talk to each other about it.
The money will be used to raise mental health awareness among construction and Fly In Fly Out [FIFO] workers.
"This additional funding will allow MATES in Construction WA to continue their important work in addressing issues of mental health and suicide in the building and construction industry, and among FIFO workers," Mr Cook says.
MATES in Construction was established in 2008 by a group of concerned people working in the industry, and aims to reduce the high level of suicide among Australian construction workers.The new grant will help the organisation provide support and assistance to individuals dealing with mental illness and families affected by suicides, including supporting those at FIFO sites across Western Australia. A standby response co-ordinator will oversee industry-specific case management protocols and educate industry workers on mental health and wellbeing.
R U OK?Day is a national day of action dedicated to reminding people to regularly check in with their loved ones, friends, and work colleagues to talk about their mental health.
Research conducted by MATES in Construction has found that each year, an average of 190 Australians working in the construction industry die from suicide, and that workers are six times more likely to die from suicide than from a workplace accident.
R U OK?Day is a national day of action dedicated to reminding people to regularly check in with their loved ones, friends, and work colleagues to talk about their mental health. Checking in with someone includes asking R U OK?, listening to them, encouraging action, and following up.
For more information, visit https://www.ruokay.org.au and //www.matesinconstruction.org.au
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