Tradies in South Australia's regions are picking up a new set of tools to slow the suicide rate in the sector, as industry pressures continue to grow.
Rising construction costs and a national tradie shortage have led to mounting pressure on the sector to keep up with demand.
But behind the scaffolding, construction workers have been battling concerning suicide rates.
Tradies are six times more likely to die from suicide than an accident at work, according to 2019 statistics from suicide prevention charity and training group MATES in Construction.
Meanwhile, the suicide rate for construction workers is around two times higher than the Australian average of other occupations.
MATES in Construction wants to change this trend by delivering suicide prevention training.
During the training, tradies learn about key moments to check on a mate, like noticing they're coming in late, have a change in mood, are socially withdrawn or have increased their drug and alcohol use.
Case manager and field officer Patrick Kukla said long working hours, safety risks and insecure employment were contributing factors, but being a male-dominated industry came with its own challenges.
"There's often a culture of really not talking about their mental health issues, with each other or with anybody else, or even getting that professional help," he said.
"So any kind of help that we can give them to overcome those barriers really helps them and helps us all to bring those difficult statistics down."
Working with a new set of tools
In its latest trip to regional South Australia, MATES in Construction delivered suicide prevention training for more than 40 tradies and sub-contractors from Berri construction group Michael Kregar Building.
"Having an open discussion on mental health is really important in the construction industry as the stats show," apprentice carpenter Hugo Kregar said.
"We had a good turnout here today, having an egg and bacon roll and a coffee, and everyone should get something out of it."
Mark Kosturjak, director of Berri-based company MWK Electrical, joined the turnout of Riverland tradies, managers, and other office staff.
"Most of us being male, we're probably not the best talkers and I'm probably exactly the same," he said.
"Things like this help, because there's lots of pressures and you don't know what people are going through behind the scenes."
Mr Kosturjak said talking about mental health openly helped to fight the idea they need to "tough it out".
"I just try and say if you're not having the best day, and if you're not mentally fit to come to work, you don't have to," he said.
MATES in Construction field officer Matt Carter said he viewed suicide prevention as a work health and safety issue, so breaking down stigma was an integral part of the training.
"The idea that we are supposed to push through our pain and be men, it does take its toll mentally," he said.
"It's okay to raise this stuff and you're not weak to talk about it."
