Chris Bowden: MATES in Construction Academic Director on the mental health and suicide rates in the sector - Kerre Woodham Mornings Podcast

A reminder to construction workers to keep looking out for each other on World Suicide Prevention Day.   

MATES in Construction's recent survey finds 85% of workers reported good mental health last year, an improvement from previous years.  

But also last year, 80 workers died from suspected suicides, a jump from previous years. 

Dr Chris Bowden, MATES in Construction’s Academic Director, told Kerre Woodham the participants in their study group talked a lot about the bullying, harassment, aggression, and conflict that was common on job sites, as well as the ritual hazing that often comes with being a new member of the community. 

But on the plus side, he said, they heard that things are slowly changing in that culture, and people are starting to take safety and mental health and wellbeing a lot more seriously in the workplace. 

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