OzHelp Queensland

OzHelp Queensland Ltd is registered Charity aimed at improving mental health and wellbeing for workers in the construction industry. It is supported by all major employer and employee organisations in the industry and was established with the support of the Building Employees Redundancy Trust (BERT Pty Ltd). OzHelp Queensland's primary sources of funding are from the BERT Welfare Fund and the Queensland Department of Health.

OzHelp Queensland is part of the national network of independent OzHelp organisations. OzHelp is a group of organisations focusing on suicide prevention though community development primarily within an industrial setting. The national OzHelp website can be found on www.ozhelp.org.au.

Download the About Ozhelp Information Booklet › (Adobe pdf reader required)

The Issues facing the construction industry

OzHelp Queensland Ltd was established in response to a study commissioned by the Construction Industry conducted by the Australian Institute of Suicide Research and Prevention which found that suicide rated in the industry was 1.75 times higher than the national average for men and in particular 2.39 times higher for men in the 15 to 24 years age group than the national average. It was found that workers in the industry were more than 6 times more likely to die from suicide than from industrial accidents in the industry (Almost 10 times more for young workers).

What is OzHelp Queensland Ltd approach to suicide prevention?

OzHelp Queensland Ltd focuses on a community development approach to suicide prevention, building social capacity and resilience within the industry. Through peer support and community development backed up by professional help the organisation aims at changing the culture in the industry towards a culture more accepting of mental health and wellbeing issues. Focus groups conducted in the industry have revealed a culture where personal problems are left at the gate and generally very low levels of help seeking behaviour.

The Life Skills Tool Box Project.

The Queensland Department of Health fund a three year OzHelp Queensland pilot project aimed at teaching life skills to apprentices during the first two years of their apprenticeship. Life skills such as nutrition, money management, healthy living, drug and alcohol practices, relationships, conflict resolution and anger management are skills often identified at resilience factors in youth suicide prevention and is taught throughout the Life Skills Tool Box project to 500 apprentices in the industry. The Life Skills Tool Box training is currently being delivered to apprentices trained by the Joint Industry Services Training (JIST) and Electro Group.

MATES in Construction Project

The MATES in Construction (MIC) project is aimed at providing peer support to workers within the Queensland construction industry. The MIC project is implemented through a "Site Mental Health and Wellbeing Plan" signed by the principal contractor on site and OzHelp Queensland. Workers on site will be provided with General Awareness Training (GAT) highlighting the importance of the issue and how to identify mental health and wellbeing issues amongst their peers. For every 15 to 30 workers 1 "Connector" is appointed and trained. A Connector is a contact between workers on site and OzHelp Queensland. OzHelp Queensland provides case management and assistance to workers in need linking construction workers up with and case manages them through the broad range of services available through the industry.

Part of the MIC project is to conduct MATES Events on site throughout a project. MATES Events are BBQs or similar with a mental health and wellbeing focus providing space and opportunity for workers to discuss their issues.

MATES in Construction is currently being implemented on 25 sites across southeast Queensland. OzHelp Queensland Ltd has already provided more than 2600 workers suicide prevention General Awareness Training and trained close to 300 connectors.

OzHelp Queensland is also accredited to provide the LivingWorks ASIST suicide first aid program. The program is a two day practical suicide intervention workshop which will enable participants to identify typical signs of suicidal thoughts, engage in conversation about such thoughts and to work with a person with suicidal thoughts to establish a safeplan (or contract) for such person.

Staying Connected

OzHelp Queensland Ltd delivers the Child Support Agency accredited course Staying Connected to workers in the construction industry. Staying Connected specifically targets separated parents in the workplace.

'Staying Connected' is a 3 hour program designed to be presented to groups of up to 16 separated mums and dads in the workplace covering:

Each participant comes away with a personal workbook including many tips and hints plus the knowledge they are supported by their employer.

The Australian Institute for Suicide Research and Prevention (AISRAP) study of suicide in the construction industry revealed that relationship breakdowns and family issues were factors in more than half the suicides within the industry.

Case Management

OzHelp Queensland Ltd provides suicide intervention and free case management services to all workers in the Queensland Construction industry. Since commencing operations only six months ago OzHelp Queensland have been involved in 15 direct suicide interventions where a worker had decided time, place and method. It is a great joy to OzHelp Queensland that these 15 people still are alive today. Case management involve finding the most suitable assistance based on each workers individual needs.

Important Numbers

OzHelp 1300 OZHELP (within Queensland)
or 07 3832 9452
Converge International 1800 337 068
Emergency Services 000
Police 3364 6464
Lifeline 13 11 14

OzHelp National Office

www.ozhelp.org.au

Employment

Currently there are no vacant positions with OzHelp Queensland.

Enquiries

contact Jorgen Gullestrup

m 0417 712 758
e Jorgen@ozhelpqld.com.au