"We blokes need to forget about the bravado. If you sense there's a problem, tell your mate you love him, and ask him how he really is," said CFMEU WA Assistant Secretary, Joe Mc Donald, at the announcement of a pilot Mates in Construction suicide prevention program in Perth on Sunday.

 Mates in Construction trains selected mentors to pick up warning signs in work colleagues and offer an understanding ear and professional help.

WA has the third highest rate of suicide in the country for construction workers. Both employers and the union recognise it is a huge problem. The suicide rates are highest in men under 24 or over 55.

"A 'perfect storm' of risk factors in the industry, including a macho culture, drugs and alcohol and job insecurity, had created a suicide epidemic," Joe McDonald said.  

The Mates in Construction Program will be launched this month at the Fiona Stanley Hospital site in Perth.

“We have a unique opportunity with the construction of the Fiona Stanley Hospital to deliver this training to over 1500 construction workers and staff as a pilot program,” said CFMEU WA Organiser Mick Buchan. “With positive outcomes, the program will flow on to all new projects from there.”

The Mates in Construction suicide prevention program started originally in Queensland, where it has had some success. It has been taken up in ACT as well as WA.  

• For more on the WA launch go to In the Press: Mates tackle a big demon, Perth Now

Suicide Prevention and Counselling Services contacts:

• ACT - CSI phone 02 6230 1320.
  OzHelp Foundation National/ACT  phone 1300 OZHELP (1300 694 357)

• NSW - Life Care Skills for Apprentices in TAFE -
  Drug & Alcohol Foundation phone 02 9555 7852   Email  Website
• NT - 24 hour crisis line/lifeline phone 13 11 14 or
  Contact your GP for referral to Wisemind Psychology or IM Concepts professionals.
  Out-of-hours call 1800 859 585.
• QLD -  Mates in Construction phone 1300 MIC 111 (1300 642 111) OR within Queensland 07 3833 1140.
  Also Converge International phone 1800 337 068 on  Facebook
• TAS - OzHelp Foundation  phone 1300 OZHELP (1300 694 357) Services in Hobart and Launceston.
• VIC - Incolink members call Rob Dawson on 0419 568 605 or email
  For full list of services see Incolink website
• WA - Converge International for building workers on commercial sites and WACIRF members. Call 1800 337 068. For full list of counselling services see Converge International website
  Mates in Construction phone 1300 MIC 111 (1300 642 111)