COVID-19 and suicide risk in the construction sector: preparing for a perfect storm
2021
Scandinavian Journal of Public Health
T King, A LaMontagne
Overview: In many parts of the world, construction workers are at elevated risk of suicide. Here, We examine the extent to
which construction workers may be differentially exposed to the economic effetcts of COVID-19.
Suicide in the Construction Industry: 2001-2018 Volume IV: July, 2020
2020
MATES in Construction
H Maheen, A LaMontagne, T King
Overview: This report is the fourth in five years that seeks to document suicide mortality, and examine trends in suicide
mortality. Here we use the latest suicide mortality statistics to examine trends across the years between 2001 and 2018.
This work is critical to MATES in Construction’s effort to provide an evidence base for targeted workplace mental health
literacy.
Reduccing the impact of critical incidence and suicide on construction workers: A rapid review and qualitative study
2020
MATES in Construction
M Maple, S Wayland, T Pearce, L Bugeja, T Lal, N Jamieson
Overview: The construction industry is both transient and stable. Site specific needs are met through a workforce
recruited to manage time-limited functions. It is natural for the workforce to then move on to other sites. This unique flow
of the workforce creates an interconnected web of individuals who may have other life pressures outside of the workplace
that can influence the safety of their work and their longer-term wellbeing. Through a rapid review of the literature this
report assesses the quality of the evidence related to workplace critical incidents and suicide.
Evaluation of a Suicide Prevention Program for the Engery Sector
2020
International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health
V Ross, N Caton, S Mathieu, J Gullestrup, K Kolves
Overview: The MATES in Construction program has recently been applied to the energy industry; however, little is known
regarding exposure to suicide and suicide prevention interventions in this sector. The study aimed to examine the
effectiveness of MATES in Energy general awareness training (GAT), and estimate the prevalence of recent suicidal ideation
and exposure to suicidal behaviors in workers.
Effective elements for workplace responses to critical incidents and suicide – A systematic rapid review of the literature
2020
MATES in Construction
T Pearce, L Bugeja, S Wayland, M Maple
Overview: The primary purpose of this rapid review is to answer the following research question: What are the key
elements for response to CIs and suicide in the workplace? This will be achieved by retrieving literature that will be used to
inform the development of postvention and CI response training module for MATES in Construction. The results of this
review will also assist in providing an evidence base to guide the qualitative interviews which intend to capture the lived
experiences of construction workers and managers and their responses to CIs and deaths by suicide in the workplace.
A review of the evidence related to the impacts of, and interventions for, workplace bullying in the Construction Industry
2020
MATES in Construction
C Doran, A Rebar, K Waters, P Meredith
Overview: MATES in Construction (Queensland) commissioned research to examine the links between positive workplace
health and safety culture and mental health and suicide risk including the impact of bullying on workplace physical and
mental health and safety in the construction industry. Researchers from Central Queensland University co-designed a
proposal with MATES in Construction (Queensland) that focussed on bullying as a psychological hazard. The proposal
involved two activities: a systematic review of individual and organisational impacts of workplace bullying; and, a
systematic review of workplace bullying interventions. Where possible, the reviews were focussed on evidence related to the
construction and mining industries.
MATES in Construction Workplace Suicide Prevention Program: Articulation of Program Logic
2020
MATES in Construction
A LaMontagne, C Shann
Overview: Tony LaMontagne and Clare Shann were commissioned to create a logic map for MATES, which would represent
the various elements and relationships of the MATES program, including its intended consequences. Program logic maps
help create a shared understanding of a program, assist with the prioritisation of activities and allocation of resources, and
ensure that short, mid and long term goals are kept in sight, as a program is implemented.
A Longitudinal Assessment of Two Suicide Prevention Training Programs for the Construction Industry
2020
International Journal of Envrionmental Research and Public Health
V Ross, N Caton, J Gullestrup, K Kõlves
Overview: General awareness training (GAT) is a one-hour session delivered to all construction workers on large to medium
worksites, while MATES awareness training (MAT) maintains similar content but is of shorter duration and delivered
informally to small workplaces. This study aimed to compare the effectiveness of the two programs using a before, after
and follow-up design.
The Impact of Workplace Bullying on Mental Health and Suicidality in Queensland Construction Industry Apprentices
2020
Report by the Australian Institute for Suicide Prevention (AISRAP), Griffith University for MATES in Construction.
V Ross, R Wardhani, K Kõlves
Overview: The current study aims to estimate the prevalence of Queensland apprentices who have experiencing bullying,
as well as to obtain a snapshot of apprentices’ mental health and well-being, their perceptions of quality of supervision,
suicide awareness and literacy, and experience of, and exposure to suicidal behaviours.
Does Help Seeking Behaviour Change Over Time Following a Workplace Mental Health Intervention in the Coal Mining Industry
2019
Journal of Occupational and Envrionmental Medicine
E Sayers, J Rich, M Rahman, B Kelly, C James
Overview: A pre-post survey study of employees from two Australian coal mines to investigate help seeking behaviour and
attitues to mental health in mining employees.
Are Young Men Getting the Message? Age Differences in Suicide Prevention Literacy among Male Construction Workers
2019
International journal of Envrionmental Research and Public Health
T King, P Batterham, H Lingard, J Gullestrup, C Lockwood, S Harvey, B Kelly, A LaMontagne, A Milner
Overview: Suicide is a leading cause of death among young men. Help-seeking is known to be poor among this group, and
little is known about what interventions are most successful in improving suicide prevention literacy among young men.
This research aims to examine: (1) age differences in beliefs related to suicide prevention literacy and attitudes to the
workplace in addressing mental health among male construction workers; (2) age differences in response to a workplace
suicide prevention program.
Understanding the Barriers and Pathways to Male Help-Seeking and Help-Offering: A Mxied Study of the Impact of the MATES in Construction Program
2019
International journal of Envrionmental Research and Public Health
V Ross, N Caton, J Gullestrup, K Kõlves
Overview: This mixed-methods study aimed to (1) examine the effectiveness of training for MATES connectors and (2)
examine the barriers, motivations and pathways to help-seeking and help-offering for both MATES connectors and clients.
An evaluation of MATES in Construction Queensland Case Management
2019
A report conducted for MATES in construction
C Doran, L Adams, C Meurk, L Wittenhagen, E Heffernan
Overview: Case management is a core component of MATES. The research team undertook a descriptive analysis of the
Queensland MATES case management database and developed an exit survey to assess the benefits of case management
for clients.
An evaluation of the effectiveness of the MATES in Energy program
2019
Australian Institute for Suicide Research and Prevention
V Ross, N Caton
Overview: In order to ensure the MATES in Energy program had successfully transitioned from the construction to the
energy sector, the Australian Institute for Suicide Research and Prevention (AISRAP) was commissioned in 2019 by MATES in
Construction to undertake an evaluation of the effectiveness of the MATES in Energy GAT training.
Suicide in the Construction Industry Volume 3
2018
MATES in Construction and The University of Melbourne
A Milner, T King, L Riccardi
Overview: This report presents the most recent analysis of trends in suicide within the construction industry. These
analyses are also disaggregated by age group and state, for the benefit of stakeholders and funders of the MATES in
Construction program.
Shifting Belifes about Suicide: Pre-Post Evaluation of the Effectiveness of a Program for Workers in the Construction Industry
2018
International journal of Environmental Research and Public Health
T King, J Gullestrup, P Batterham, B Kelly, C Lockwood, H Lingard, S Harvey, A LaMontagne, A Milner
Overview: Suicide is a significant health problem that is known to disproportionately affect those employed in manual
occupations, including construction workers and tradespeople. This paper sought to examine the effectiveness of the GAT
program in shifting suicide beliefs.
An evaluation on the effectiveness of the MATES in Construction program: Results of a mixed-method, two phase study
2018
Australian Institute of Suicide Research and Prevention
V Ross
Overview: In 2017, AISRAP was commissioned by MATES in Construction to evaluate the MATES program. The evaluation
was comprised of a mixed-method, two-phase design. Phase 1 was a qualitative focus group study to examine motivations,
pathways and difficulties in help-seeking and help-offering from the perspectives of both MATES volunteers and clients.
Informed by the findings of the first phase, Phase 2 then quantitatively analysed the effectiveness of the Mates in
Construction training in a large sample of construction workers from smaller sites across regional and metropolitan
Queensland.
Report on the Construction Industry Apprentices’ Focus Groups
2018
Australian Institute of Suicide Research and Prevention
Overview: Six focus groups were conducted with construction industry apprentices to learn about their needs in order to
inform the update of the Life Skills training program. The focus was on problems/issues experienced at work and outside
of work, and the types of information and support that would be helpful when they are ‘doing it tough’.
Feasibility and acceptability of strategies to address mental health and mental ill-health in the Australian coal mining industry
2018
International Journal of Mental Health Systems volume 12, Article number:66 (2018)
R Tynan, C James, R Considine, J Skehan, J Gullestrup, T Lewin, J Wiggers, B Kelly
Overview: To evaluate the feasibility, acceptability and effectiveness of implementing a peer-based, multi-component
mental health program in the Australian coal mining industry.
A History of MATES in Construction Queensland (2008-2018)
2018
G Shannon
Overview: Researching the history of the Queensland construction industry and disturbing statistics of suicide and how
MATES in Construction Queensland was developed.
Male suicide among construction workers in Australia: a qualitative analysis of the major stressors precipitating death
2017
BMC Public Health
A Milner, H Maheen, D currier, A LaMontagne
Overview: Suicide rates among those employed in male-dominated professions such as construction are elevated
compared to other occupational groups. We used a national coronial database to qualitatively study work and non-work
related influences on male suicide occurring in construction workers in Australia.
A Qualitative Evaluation of The Effectiveness of The MATES in Construction Program
2017
Australia Institute for Suicide Research and Prevention
V Ross
Overview: This report provides a summary of a qualitative evaluation of the effectiveness of the MATES in Construction
(MIC) program. Focus groups with MIC volunteers and individual interviews with MIC case management clients examined
the motivations, pathways and difficulties in help-seeking and help-offering from the perspectives of both volunteers and
clients.
Suicide in the Construction Industry: Report submitted to MATES in Construction by Deakin University Volume 2, 15 July 2017
2017
The University of Melbourne, Deakin University
A Milner, H Maheen
Overview: Around the world, suicide rates among those employed in blue collar occupations such as construction are
higher than those in other occupational groups. Previous Australian research has also identified construction workers as
being a particularly at risk. This report was commissioned to assess recent trends in suicide among construction workers
across Australian states and territories, and to examine whether suicide rates among construction workers remains higher
than other occupational groups.
A History of MATES in Construction Queensland (2008-2018)
2018
G Shannon
Overview: Researching the history of the Queensland construction industry and disturbing statistics of suicide and how
MATES in Construction Queensland was developed.
A History of MATES in Construction Queensland (2008-2018)
2018
G Shannon
Overview: Researching the history of the Queensland construction industry and disturbing statistics of suicide and how
MATES in Construction Queensland was developed.
A History of MATES in Construction Queensland (2008-2018)
2018
G Shannon
Overview: Researching the history of the Queensland construction industry and disturbing statistics of suicide and how
MATES in Construction Queensland was developed.
A History of MATES in Construction Queensland (2008-2018)
2018
G Shannon
Overview: Researching the history of the Queensland construction industry and disturbing statistics of suicide and how
MATES in Construction Queensland was developed.
A History of MATES in Construction Queensland (2008-2018)
2018
G Shannon
Overview: Researching the history of the Queensland construction industry and disturbing statistics of suicide and how
MATES in Construction Queensland was developed.
