The Blueprint is a practical framework for better mental health and suicide prevention in the construction industry.

It was developed by industry leaders, worker representatives, mental health experts, and academics to help organisations focus on the key areas that strengthen mental health and reduce psychosocial risks on worksites.
The Blueprint is built on five key pillars. Together, they highlight where organisations can take action to improve mental health and prevent suicide:

1. Promote work’s positive impact – How work can provide stability, social connection, and purpose. Employers can reinforce this through inclusive policies, teamwork, and peer support.
2. Reduce harmful impacts of work – Employers have a responsibility to manage psychosocial hazards, including how work is structured, managed, and the culture of the workplace.
3. Provide mental health literacy – An informed workforce can talk about mental health and suicide without shame, reducing stigma and encouraging help-seeking.
4. Facilitate early intervention – Workers need timely, targeted support, with trained leaders and access to a network of treatment and help options.
5. Support return-to-work – Employers play a critical role in supporting workers back to work after illness or injury, promoting recovery and ongoing wellbeing.
   The Blueprint requires all five pillars to work together to create mentally healthier, safer workplaces and meaningful outcomes..

Signing up means your organisation is committed to improving psychosocial safety and mental health in your workplace.

You’ll take part in the Blueprint process, which involves:

• Completing a confidential survey based on the five Blueprint pillars
• Receiving a tailored audit report highlighting strengths and areas for improvement
• Working with MATES to develop a practical action plan for your workplace
• Being recognised as a committed organisation on the Blueprint website

The evaluation will help the industry understand what strategies work best to create safer, more supportive workplaces.

The Australian building and construction industry experiences significantly higher rates of suicide and mental health challenges compared to the general population.

Workers exposed to psychosocial hazards in the workplace are at greater risk of psychological injury and poorer mental health outcomes. Mental health conditions now account for an increasing proportion of serious workers’ compensation claims, highlighting their growing impact on both individuals and workplaces.

While MATES in Construction has developed innovative programs to support workers directly, organisations must also take proactive steps to address psychosocial hazards on construction sites. Aligning the industry to reduce these risks is critical to lowering the tragically high rates of suicide and improving mental health outcomes across the sector.

The Blueprint is designed to help gives your organisation a clear snapshot of its strengths and areas for improvement under each of the five Blueprint pillars—providing a practical framework to take meaningful action.

When your organisation signs up for the Blueprint, MATES will guide you through the process step by step:

Initial Enquiry
We schedule an information session with your organisation and an overview of Blueprint.

Information Session
We will hold a short session with your representative to explain the Blueprint, how it works, and the benefits for your workplace.

Audit Tool
We send you a simple survey which identifies your organisation’s strengths and areas for improvement under the five Blueprint pillars.

Audit Report
MATES reviews your results, creates an audit report, and schedules an action planning workshop to discuss priority areas.

Audit Report Review
You can choose to review the report in detail with MATES before the workshop.

Action Planning Workshop
MATES work with you to create a practical action plan focused on reducing psychosocial risks and improving workplace culture.

Action Plan
We provide a tailored Action Plan for your organisation, which also forms part of your Blueprint certification.

PAWCon Survey
We send a follow-up staff survey to gather feedback on workplace demands and supports.

PAWCon Report Review
MATES reviews the survey results with your organisation to identify next steps.

Follow-Up
After 12 months, MATES will re-engage with your organisation to measure progress, review outcomes, and keep building on improvements.

Contact your MATES representative and we will contact you to guide you through the next steps. We’ll arrange an information session, explain how the Blueprint works for your organisation, and support you through the process from start to finish.