Look out, mate - a changing culture

Long hours, tough conditions, and a whole lot of hard yakka. That’s the job, right? So naturally, it follows that in tradie culture, we’re good at talking about all the things that make us fit for the job, like how much we can deadlift and how far off a full carnivore diet we are. We’re strong. Stoic. And that’s why talking about mental health for tradies is not yet a part of our culture. But it should be. Want to know why? 

Let’s talk numbers, and they’re bloody alarming. 

• On average, 190 construction workers die by suicide each year in Australia.
• Construction workers are at least six times more likely to die by suicide than workplace accidents.
• Tradies have some of the highest suicide rates in Australia amongst men.
• Female tradies are twice as likely to commit suicide than women in any other work. 

Why is this happening? Maybe because there’s so much pressure on us to work hard. Long hours, physically demanding tasks, and unforgiving weather conditions can leave us burnt out and disconnected from friends, family, and even ourselves. 

And we’re not in the habit of talking about our feelings on a smoko or down the pub after work. Poor work/life balance leads to a slew of issuess like gambling, alcohol and drug abuse, and bad financial choices. Next can easily come a slow but steady downward spiral, leading to relationship breakdowns. Eventually, bottling it all up can lead to anxiety, depression, anger, and even suicide. Yes, it’s that real, and it happens every single day. 

It's ingrained in trade - showing emotions, crying, or talking about mental struggles just isn't part of the culture. This "you'll be right, mate" mentality and fear of being judged or seen as weak means that many of us are suffering in silence.  

The people around us are suffering too. Don’t fool yourself - your partner, friends, and family are all affected, making inward changes to accommodate your poor mental health. Maybe they’re tiptoeing around you, or feel hurt because they don’t understand what’s going on. Especially the kids. And if it gets bad enough, those kids are going to carry the effect of your troubled years their whole lives and into their future relationships too. This is not a guilt trip. Mental health issues are not your fault. We’ll say it again. Not. Your. Fault. But things will get worse if you don’t start looking for help. 

Let's face it, this culture that emphasises self-reliance is largely responsible for the poor mental health of many tradies. That's why a lot of us only seek help once the proverbial has hit the fan, at which time you’ll need to work so much harder to get back to feeling good. 

If you notice a mate at work who might be struggling, please find the time to have that difficult conversation with them. Yep, it’ll be awkward. They’ll probably knock you back a few times and deny anything’s wrong, but so what? Someone’s got to start smashing stigmas. Be a mate, be THAT mate, the one who cares enough to get over a little awkwardness for the sake of buddy in need. See someone in trouble? Let them know you’ve got a pair of ears and a spare ten minutes. You do, and it won’t cost a thing. 

So, what can you do if you're struggling? 

Easier said than done, we know. But whether it's a friend, a partner, a or a colleague, you’ve got to get it off your chest. You’ll be surprised how many people already know you’re suffering and want to help. They might not have all the answers, but they can help you get there. A partner might be more understanding than you think, offering to share some of the load you’re carrying or supporting you in finding professional help. A boss might offer you some time off to get yourself sorted. Point is, you’ll never know until you reach out. 

Do some reading, watch some YouTube videos. You could possibly find some great resources on social media, but for the love of all that’s good, PLEASE make sure you’re consuming content from professionals and not from some some “alpha” male with a microphone and too many opinions. Make yourself aware of mental health conditions, warning signs, symptoms, and available support services. Could be a game-changer for you and your mates. 

Don't wait until you hit rock bottom to get professional support. The less you sink, the less climbing out of that hole you’ll have to do. Start with a GP appointment to get a mental health care plan. They’ll help you find someone to talk to if you don’t know who you want to see.  

Australia has some fantastic help you can access for free and it’s only a phone call away.  

• Mens Line Australia – 1300 78 99 78
• Mates in Construction – 1300 642 111
• Lifeline – 13 11 14
• Beyond Blue - 1300 22 4636 

Call these guys any time, but if you’re in real dire straights, skip to 000.  

Seriously, mental health is just as important as any other aspect of our lives, especially in our line of work. Next time you're on the job, take a moment to check in with your mates. Ask them how they're doing, listen to what they have to say. And most importantly, don't forget to look after yourself.