Fly the Flag 2021

Fly the Flag during September for Suicide Prevention

During the whole month of September MATES in Construction will be raising awareness of the importance of talking about mental health and suicide prevention across our industry.

We want you to help us spread these messages far and wide.

Why is it so important for you to be involved in this campaign?

• The construction industry has the highest rate of suicide when compared to all other industries in New Zealand.
• The construction industry loses at least ONE person every week to suicide in construction, that’s more than 52 lives a year, which is the equivalent of 10 per cent of New Zealand’s total suicide rate.
• We are 6 times more likely to lose somebody in our industry to suicide than we are to a workplace accident.
• We are a heavily male dominated industry and 99% of those that we lose to suicide in our industry are our men.

Flying the MATES Flag shows your support and raises awareness of suicide prevention in the industry. It is a display to the broader community that the construction industry is actively involved in the prevention of suicide. Organise an event to happen during the week of Fly the Flag 6th – 10th of September. Have a BBQ on site or toolbox talk. Spread the word that it’s OK to talk about mental health and wellbeing and share your stories.

Share your Fly the Flag even on social media by tagging @matesinconstructionnewzealand and using the hashtag #FLYTHEFLAG2021