Blueprint For Better Mental Health And Suicide Prevention

Facilitating early intervention and treatment

BLUEPRINT FOR BETTER MENTAL HEALTH IN THE BUILDING AND CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY.

WHAT CAN I DO TO FACILITATE EARLY INTERVENTION AND TREATMENT ON SITE?

POLICY

Workers who feel declaring a mental health condition could be detrimental to their employment will be reluctant to disclose mental health issues. Therefore, non-discriminatory workplace policies that support help seeking behaviour are vital.

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EXAMPLES

Workers with lived experience of mental health issues or suicide who have recovered and are working successfully back in the industry can reduce barriers to help-seeking behaviour by sharing their experiences.

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SUPERVISOR TRAINING

Ensuring supervisors are adequately trained in symptom identification and referral pathways will increase potential access to help.

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PATHWAYS TO HELP

Developing multiple pathways to diverse types of support will encourage help-seeking and help-offering behaviours.

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ACCESS TO EMPLOYEE ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (EAP)

Providing access to a thorough, tailored EAP for all workers on site will facilitate early intervention. EAP services are often flexible with a basic understanding of the industry serviced, however many smaller or subcontract employers in the industry do not currently have access to adequate EAP support for their staff.

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MANAGER ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS (MAP)

Providing line managers with access to professionals who can provide guidance on how best to support their workforce is vital.

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PEER SUPPORT NETWORKS

A well-supported peer network can work effectively (along with human resources and management structures) to look after individuals. Increasing awareness of support services among staff along with clearly visible connection points will help workers identify clear pathways to support.

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ONSITE INTERVENERS

Intervention skills are simple and can be taught in a few days. Ensuring trained workers are onsite who have the ability to intervene when required is as important for mental health as first aid officers are for physical health in the industry.

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Early Intervention and Treatment Diagram

EARLY INTERVENTION IS POWERFUL

Diagnosable mental health conditions, if treated early can often be effectively managed or cured. In any typical workforce, one in five workers will experience a diagnosable mental health condition, one in 20 will experience suicidal thoughts and around one in 300 will attempt suicide each year. Workplaces need to provide clear pathways through which workers with mental health issues can be identified and provided with appropriate care. In particular, programs to increase and facilitate help offering could target individuals with poor help-seeking and may help to break down stigma.

IMPLEMENTING THE BLUEPRINT

This information has been developed in consultation with industry partners implementing the Blueprint for Better Mental Health. MATES in Construction have Industry Engagement officers who can meet with you to work through activities or actions that your company or business can do to implement the Blueprint either on site or throughout your organisation. For more information contact us


Companies that can assist implementing this pillar:

Additional resources:

Visit Mates in Construction

Visit Mental Health First Aid

Need to Learn more about the Blueprint? CONTACT US