National CEO of Mates in Construction Chris Lockwood says construction workers are more likely to suffer mental health struggles than other industries and it is a “real challenge” that needs to be addressed.
“The nature of the hours of the work – extended hours of work can see workers actually removed from their social connections, from their family, from their friends, and from the connections that they will rely on to keep them safe when they’re struggling," he told Sky News Australia.
“You have periods of work and no work, often for people in construction, and that can provide financial struggles.
“When you combine some of those real-life issues, financial struggles, removal of social connection … family and relationship struggles … when these combine it can actually lead to a larger effect, that actually can see someone genuinely struggling and actually think about suicide.”
