MATES IN CONSTRUCTION
RAISING AWARENESS ABOUT SUICIDE WITHIN THE WORKPLACE AND MAKING IT EASY TO GET HELP.
MATES in Construction is a program aimed at:
• Raising awareness about suicide within the workplace
• Making it easy to get help
• Ensuring that the help offered is practical and culturally appropriate
A MATES in Construction site will be recognised by the MIC logo (insert picture of white Mates in Construction Logo). A site qualifies as a MATES in Construction site once the general awareness about suicide has been raised amongst the workers on site and Connectors trained to connect workers who might need help to high quality assistance.
OzHelp Queensland Ltd strongly recommends that employers in the industry implement all aspects of the MATES in Construction program and not just parts of it:
• The General Awareness Training (GAT) is a 45 minutes awareness session conducted on site. It deals with suicide as an issue within the industry, tip over points and some of the warning signs that a mate could be thinking about suicide. Finally the GAT training provide simple information about what to do if a worker suspect a mate is thinking about suicide. All workers on site should receive this training as at least 80% awareness should be retained throughout the life of a project. Workers who have completed the GAT training will have a white MIC sticker on their hard hat.
• Connector Training is a 4 hour course based around the Livingworks/Lifeline “safeTALK” workshop. A connector will have the confidence to ask a mate if he or she is thinking about suicide and will connect such worker to a safe-connection. A connector will know the importance of self-care and that suicide ultimately is a personal choice. 1 out of 20 workers should be trained as connectors across all sections of a worksite. A connector is recognisable on the green MIC sticker on their hard hat.
• ASIST suicide first aid is an additional offer to sites to train key personnel in suicide first aid. It is a two day workshop aimed at actively helping a person to stay safe until such person can get professional help. OzHelp Queensland Ltd field officers, case managers and 24 hour crisis line also provide suicide first aid, it is however recommended that remote or large sites have an onsite suicide first aid capability.
• Connector Meetings and Toolbox talks – OzHelp Queensland field officers will maintain an ongoing relationship with sites participating in the MATES in Construction program. Regular connector meetings will ensure due care of the connectors by providing an opportunity for debriefing issues. Participation in tool box talks allow OzHelp Queensland to participate and support the employer in their ongoing endeavours of providing a safe site with a good mental health and wellbeing environment. OzHelp Queensland offer tool box talks on a range of issues designed to assist and support the employer.
NOMINATIONS
If you're interseted in nominating your site for the Mates in Construction Program please fill out the the nomination form:
MIC Nomination Form
COMING SOON