Suicide rate for construction workers still rising
Statistics from the Chief Coroner show one hundred and sixty one construction workers may have died from suicide between 2017 to 2020. The construction industry has the highest suicide numbers for any single sector in New Zealand and it isn't getting any better. MATES in Construction has been operating on worksites in New Zealand for over a year trying to help workers who are struggling with mental health. Their field officers visit sites and try to understand the challenges workers are facing, and help them on a peer to peer basis. Mates in Construction CEO Victoria McArthur says while they're encouraged by employers and workers engaging openly in discussions about mental health, change isn't happening fast enough to save lives. Kathryn is also joined by Chief Executive Officer of Naylor Love Rick Herd to discuss how the industry is attempting to address the mental health crisis.