With one in four construction workers having suffered mental illness in the past year, and studies showing construction workers are almost twice as likely to attempt suicide as men in other industries, mental health experts are calling on tradesmen to look after their mental health and keep an eye on their workmates. Sadly, men account for 75 per cent of suicides in Australia, so it’s little wonder that the construction industry is so hard hit with mental health issues, given 88 per cent of workers are blokes.  “We know that there’s [a] stigma [around] men seeking assistance for mental health issues,” Dr Grant Blashki, Beyond Blue’s Lead Clinical Adviser, tells inSITE. “Many men feel they need to be strong and reliant, and that seeking help is a sign of weakness. They’re more likely to bottle things up.” Add to that specific industry pressures like long hours, irregular shifts and tight deadlines, coupled with higher levels of dangerous drinking and drug taking, it’s no wonder the numbers are so high. “In the short term, [excessive drinking] may help settle a bit of anxiety, but you’ve still got to deal with the next day, and you feel terrible and your mood spirals down,” Dr Blashki says. “Heavy drinking tends to create more problems – you might get involved in violence or lose your licence for drink driving, not to mention the gut, liver and brain risks of drinking heavily.”

Admitting you’re struggling might seem like a tough ask, but putting your hand up for help doesn’t mean you’re suddenly going to be admitted to a psychiatric hospital or have to lay on a therapist’s couch staring at the ceiling like you see in the movies. It sounds simple, but some of the best things any of us can do for our mental health include eating well, doing regular exercise and taking time out. “Try to create some boundaries around time at work and take time off as best as you can,” Dr Blashki says. “That might involve turning off your phone or blocking emails after work. Make sure you schedule time for exercise into your week, and steer clear of heavy drinking and drugs.” What you eat can have a particularly powerful bearing on how you feel mentally. With new research showing that a diet high in saturated fat and refined sugars (think a meat pie and Coke for lunch) affects brain proteins that are involved in depression, while diets high in healthy foods – like fruit, vegetables, wholegrains and fish – tend to be protective. “There’s lots of things we can do before we get into more heavy-duty psychology and medication,” Dr Blashki says. “Trying to get enough sleep is a big one. Doing exercise and spending time with friends is a good place to start.”

Many men feel they need to be strong and reliant, and that seeking help is a sign of weakness”

Dr Grant Blashki – Lead Clinical Adviser at Beyond Blue

When we hear the word ‘depression’, many of us assume it’s about feeling sad or miserable, but with symptoms ranging from irritability to isolating yourself, to physical symptoms such as an upset stomach, it’s clear that mental health issues can look and feel different for different people. “You may notice a colleague or employee has dramatic changes in mood and behaviour, is getting very aggressive, or may be getting isolated and not participating in their usual activities,” Dr Blashki points out. “The other risk factors would be alcohol or drug misuse, a history of suicidal behaviour, and a sense of feeling hopeless or trapped.” If you think your mate or co-worker is acting differently, Dr Blashki says that simply asking if they’re okay or saying you’ve noticed they haven’t been themselves can be a huge help. “You’re not expected to be a psychologist and you don’t have to diagnose anything,” he says. “If they say, ‘Yeah, I’ve been having these terrible thoughts’, you can encourage them to get professional help.”

If you’re a business owner or manager, making mental health a priority is not only good for workers, but it’s also good for your bottom line. In fact, a PWC report found that for every dollar an organisation spends on a mentally healthy workplace, they get a $2.30 return. “Good job design, workload management and work-life balance are really important to help protect the mental wellbeing of employees,” Dr Blashki says. “If the managers and board talk frequently about mental health issues as part of everyday conversation, it really sets a different tone. Beyond Blue’s Heads Up website has lots of tips for setting up a mentally healthy workplace.” Dr Blashki says having strong antibullying practices is also important.  “A lot of bullying culture gets set by the organisation, and we know that bullying is a serious workplace issue associated with anxiety, depression and suicide,” he adds. “Leaders don’t have to bare their soul to the whole organisation, but to be able to talk about some of their own vulnerabilities or challenges they have had in their life [can] change the culture of everyone needing to be completely invulnerable.”

Don’t forget, R U OK? Day is on Thursday 12 September! Look out for your mates on site by:

1. 1 ASKING IF THEY’RE OKAY
2. 2 LISTENING TO WHAT THEY SAY
3. 3 ENCOURAGING THEM TO CHAT IF THEY HAVE ANY PROBLEMS
4. 4 CHECKING IN WITH THEM TO ENSURE THEY’RE DOING WELL

If you or a mate are feeling depressed, anxious or suicidal, professional help can make a huge difference to your headspace. Try these options:

• See your GP, who can set you up with a GP Mental Health Care Plan, which gives you access to Medicare-subsidised visits to a mental health specialist.
• Ring Lifeline on 13 11 14 or Beyond Blue on 1300 224 636.
• Go to beyondblue.com.au and chat to a counsellor online if you would prefer to type your feelings rather than speak them out loud.
• Download the Beyond Now app, which helps you create a safety plan to help you through a crisis.