Suicide Is No Longer A Dirty Word! by Omesh Jethwani

WORKPLACE, HEALTH & SAFETY

Suicide Is No Longer A Dirty Word! By Omesh Jethwani, Government Projects & Programs Manager ccording to Mates In Construction NSW (MATES NSW), construction workers are more than two times more likely to die by suicide than Australian men. Indeed, young construction workers are almost six times more likely to die from suicide than workplace accidents.

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management and employees came together for the common good of everybody on a site, to prevent suicide in the workplace,” he says. MATES NSW offers three areas of training

MATES NSW is a charity set up to try and combat the terrible rate of suicide in the industry. According to CEO Brad Parker, 190 people in the construction industry take their own lives every year. The charity has reduced suicide by almost 8 per cent since its formation in 2009.

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• General Awareness Training (GAT) — training is delivered to at least 80% of workers on-site and is delivered en masse and on-site. This training introduces workers to the nature of the problem, that it is okay to talk about mental health, and provides practical guidance on how they can assist. • Connector Training — provided to those people on site who volunteer to become a Connector — a person trained to help keep someone safe in a crisis while at the same time connecting them to professional help.

“We have a straightforward model, but it’s very effective. We have created a network of carers who will assist people in identifying the signs of suicide and connecting those people to help,” Mr Parker says. “The Program uses the world’s best practices tailored into language that construction workers understand. The genius of construction industry

across the industry:

Brad Parker, CEO Mates NSW

• Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training (ASIST) — equips individuals to become ASIST workers, comparable to the first aid officer on-site. ASIST workers will talk to a person contemplating suicide to make this person ‘safe’. Using simple skills, an ASIST worker will listen to the person’s concerns and respond to them appropriately to reach a ‘safe plan’. Issue Two | April-June 2022 | MBA NSW

WORKPLACE, HEALTH & SAFETY

“It’s mates looking out for mates and mates helping mates. It goes further than preventing suicide attempts — our Program develops a caring sanctuary for those with depression or mental health issues,” Mr Parker says.

The New South Wales Suicide Monitoring System collaborates with NSW Health, the Department of Communities and Justice (DCJ), the State Coroner, and the NSW Police established in October 2020. NSW Health publishes monthly reports on suspected deaths by suicide occurring in New South Wales.

Many factors contribute to suicidal thoughts, including long working hours, job insecurity, bullying, financial concerns, relationship issues, and a higher rate of drug and alcohol abuse within the industry.

The latest report for January 2022 found 928 suspected deaths by suicide in New South Wales in 2021, which is higher than the number of deaths reported for 2020 (904) but lower than for 2019 (945) (NSW Health 2022).

“We also need to remove the stigma surrounding mental health issues, which causes people to try to cover up thoughts of suicide,” Mr Parker says. Projects like Mates In Construction, Mates in Mining, and Mates in Energy are all working towards reducing the suicide rate, but there is a need for higher funding levels. As Mr Parker says: “Take-up of the service in NSW is currently outstripping supply significantly, where the service is not actively promoted… additionally, our work experience in regional NSW has confirmed a significant need for service rollout, with high levels of lived experience of suicide in each session delivered.” Suicide in the Australian construction industry costs the economy more than $1.5 billion a year. However, over the past 10-15 years, we’ve seen increased investment in mental health at the state and federal levels. Master Builders NSW is currently facilitating the Suicide Prevention Gatekeepers Training workshops (Connector and ASIST) in partnership with MATES NSW. The NSW Ministry of Health has funded the two-year Program since 2020. Master Builders NSW aims to deliver the Suicide Prevention Gatekeepers Training workshops amongst 3000 construction workers in Sydney. Master Builders NSW Suicide Prevention Gatekeepers Training workshops target the following cohorts: • young apprentices; • support staff (business trainees, new entrants); and • apprentice mentors (Supervisors, Project Managers, etc.) • others working in or connected to the Building & Construction Industry Executive Director of Master Builders NSW, Brian Seidler, says the Program is a giant leap forward for the building and construction industry, with significantly higher rates of suicide

MBA NSW | Issue Two | April-June 2022

Over 10 million Australian adults are estimated to know someone who has died by suicide, and 1 in 2 young people are impacted by suicide by the time they turn 25. The latest Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) data shows that around nine (9) lives are lost per day to suicide.

and mental health issues amongst workers than in other sectors. “Mental health and suicide prevention is everyone’s business, and when all of us look out for our mates, we are protecting the most important commodity in our industry — its people.”

These statistics are based on 2020 data released by the Australian Bureau of Statistics on 29 September 2021.

Brian Seidler

“In the building and construction industry, suicide seems to be a part of the reality — the sector is highly transient, with most workers employed on a project by project basis, for periods from a few weeks to a few years,” he said. “We need to ensure the industry represents a sustainable and safe workplace which attracts and keeps workers on their career pathways and mental health training is a critical part of that.” Facts About Suicide Worldwide According to World Health Organisation, 703,000 people take their own lives every year, and many more people attempt suicide. Every suicide is a tragedy that affects families, communities and entire countries and has longlasting effects on the people left behind. Suicide occurred throughout the lifespan and was the fourth leading cause of death among 15-29 year-olds globally in 2019. Suicide does not just occur in high-income countries but is a global phenomenon globally. Over 77% of global suicides occurred in lowand middle-income countries in 2019. Facts About Suicide in Australia

• 3,139 Australians died by suicide in 2020, representing an age-standardised suicide death rate of 12.1 per 100,000 people. • This is a decrease of around 6.6% compared with the 12.9 age-standardised suicide death rate reported for 2019. • However, over the previous ten years, the age-standardised suicide death rate per 100,000 people has increased from 10.5 in 2011 to 12.1 in 2020, an increase of 15.2%. • Suicide was the 15th most common cause of death overall (down from 13th in 2019), accounting for 1.9% of deaths. • The median age of death by suicide was 43.5 years, compared to 81.7 years for all causes of death. Because suicide frequently occurs at a younger age than other causes of death, the potential years of life lost are high. As in previous years, in 2020, suicide was the cause of death, resulting in the highest number of potential years of life lost: 109,525 years. This was more than half again (57.7%) as many years higher as the next most significant cause. Younger Australians • In 2020, 454 young people aged 15-24 died by suicide, representing 21.2 deaths by suicide per 100,000 people. Over one-third of deaths in 15-24-year-olds are due to suicide.

TAFE NSW Trade Teachers attending the ASIST workshop. From left – Back row: Michael Rudd, Shane Judd, William Guthrie, Rudi Meuwissen, Christopher Neal, Richard Bailey, Patrick Aiken. Front Row – from left: Josef Fritzer, Akash Chauhan. • Suicide was the most common cause of death for adults aged 15-44, with 1,612 deaths by suicide in this group. Men • Consistent with previous years, males are three times more likely to die by suicide than females. Males accounted for 75.9% of deaths by suicide (2,384 deaths); this represents an age-standardised suicide death rate of 18.6 per 100,000 people (compared with a rate of 5.8 for females). • Men over 85 are particularly impacted, with 36.2 deaths by suicide per 100,000. • Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples • In 2020 there were 223 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples died by suicide. • The median age of death by suicide of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples was 31.3 years, more than a decade younger than the median age of death by suicide for the general population of 43.5 years.

• Age-standardised rates of death by suicide were higher in regional Australia: 15.7 deaths per 100,000 outside capital cities, compared with 10.3 deaths per 100,000 in capital cities. • The most significant difference was in Western Australia, with an age-standardised death by a suicide rate of 12.7 per 100,000 in Greater Perth, compared with 20.8 per 100,000 in the rest of the state. Risk Factors • In 2020, over 90% of people who died by suicide had at least one risk factor reported. Both mental and behavioural disorders and psychosocial risk factors were present in over two-thirds of deaths of people who died by suicide. People who died by suicide had an average of 3-4 risk factors. • The proportion of suicide deaths recording at least one psychosocial risk factor was 67.1%.

• When looking at State and Territory data, Northern Territory had the highest agestandardised rate of deaths by suicide at 20 per 100,000.

• The three most frequently occurring psychosocial risk factors for men were: a personal history of self-harm (19.5% of deaths by suicide), disruption of a family by separation and divorce (14%), and problems in a relationship with a spouse or partner (11.8%).

• All states except Northern Territory and the Australian Capital Territory had decreases in the number of suicides between 2019 and 2020.

• The three most frequently occurring psychosocial risk factors for women were: a personal history of self-harm (32.8% of

Region

deaths by suicide), problems in a relationship with a spouse or partner (10.9%), and disappearance or death of a family member (9.7). Other statistics • 65,000 suicide attempts each year (est.) • It is estimated that more than 500,000 Australians have attempted suicide at some time in their life. Master Builders NSW would like to take this opportunity to thank the team from MATES NSW, Brad Parker, Heather Drew, Kayte Wilson and Andrew Bate for their ongoing support in the rollout of the Master Builders NSW Gatekeepers Program. Master Builders NSW will deliver the FREE Suicide Prevention Gatekeepers Training workshop every month till November 2022. Master Builders NSW members and their employees will be notified via an e-circular of the upcoming dates. For further enquiries, contact Omesh Jethwani, Government Projects & Programs Manager, on 02 8586 3539. If you need support in the industry, please contact your Employee Assistance Program (EAP) or call the MATES NSW hotline on 1300 642 111. Issue Two | April-June 2022 | MBA NSW

WORKPLACE, HEALTH & SAFETY

been raised in the past few years. However, I don’t feel as if the problems of suicide have been raised equally and are somewhat still taboo.

Shane Judd

In your opinion, why do you think apprentices are reluctant to discuss their mental health issues with their teachers?

The Impact Of Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training (ASIST) Omesh Jethwani, Government Projects & Programs Manager, in conversation with Shane Judd, Team Leader – Plumbing & Water Industry, Infrastructure, Energy and Construction, TAFE NSW and Michael Rudd, Teacher Carpentry and Construction Meadowbank TAFE NSW Omesh: Tell us more about yourself.

Monday, post-weekend.

Shane: I am currently employed as a team leader for Plumbing and water trades across Western Sydney. I have been employed in TAFE NSW for 14 years. Prior to leadership roles, I had the pleasure of teaching apprentices within the first eight (8) years of my career, in which I thoroughly enjoyed every aspect of skilling the next generation of industry trade persons.

What made you enrol for the Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training (ASIST) workshop?

Having coordinated the SafeTALK programs into work health and safety trade spaces of TAFE NSW along with Mates in Construction and Master Builders NSW, ensuring all enrolled students attend a workshop during their three years as an apprentice, I felt it would be paramount for myself along with as many teachers within the trade space attend this important workshop not only to break down the stigma related to mental illness but to upskill our trade teachers in developing a greater understanding around the topic of suicide prevention and how to have the tough conversation. This coordination piece would later be recognised by receiving the M.D.’s state-wide Safety Award in 2021 for my contribution to the rollout of SafeTALK programs across Western Sydney.

Shane: Over the past few years, I noticed an increase whilst leading and supporting many trade teaching section Teachers, Head Teachers and students with the terrible news of apprentices lost to suicide. These alarming notifications are generally shared internally on a

Michael: The Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training workshop appealed to me because I have seen how many apprentices are affected by mental health problems and wanted to further my understanding of the signs that people contemplating suicide exhibit. I think the

Michael: I am a residential builder/carpenter and have been in the construction industry for 13 years. I teach at Meadowbank TAFE campus, teaching carpentry and Certificate IV in Building and Construction for those aspiring to become builders. I have been teaching for two years.

MBA NSW | Issue Two | April-June 2022

current generation of apprentices is faced with different issues than generations past. So it’s essential to identify if there are any underlying issues relating to suicide and how to approach them to help the students in the best possible way. Before the first ASIST what was your understanding of mental health and suicide in the building and construction industry? Shane: Having worked closely with Master Builders NSW and Mates in Construction, coordinating SafeTALK workshops for enrolled students over the past couple of years, I already had formed a good understanding of mental health and suicide and was able to recognise that my colleagues, teachers, and the like would benefit from this same understanding. As I am not a professional in this field, I sort the professionalism of Master Builders NSW and Mates in Construction to educate on this topic and teach the skills to recognise the signs and the tools to assist. Michael: I did not realise that suicide was so far-reaching and as common as it is. I understand that mental health issues have

Shane: I think students see their teachers as professionals in their field of education and, therefore, may perceive their teacher only to be approachable to issues pertaining to their direct education. They may also see this as a weakness in a male-dominated trade where you are often told in industry and amongst peers to have a cup of concrete and harden up. They may also feel that this would affect their training and results; they perceive this as not being fit for trade and is not the done thing. This is the sort of stigma that I felt needed to be broken, restoring confidence because, in TAFE NSW, we pride ourselves in supporting our students. Michael: I think apprentices are reluctant to discuss their mental health issues with their teachers because they do not think anyone cares or wants to listen. It is a possibility some teachers have not developed a rapport with their students, so they do not trust their teachers enough. Some teachers probably find it hard to find time to set aside for individual students when they have 16 in a class and limited time to teach them all the skills they need to learn. As a teacher, how have you provided support to students who were going through a difficult time or thinking of suicide before the training? Shane: During my career, I have found in most circumstances, some students do open up to their allocated teachers regarding personal issues that they may be experiencing in their personal/professional careers. Along with many colleagues, I have had many conversations in which the student has opened up and, as a result, is offered support services such as counselling (which forms part of their enrolment with TAFE NSW). This, however, was a reactive approach to the student opening up and did not necessarily build a pro-active pathway for students. I felt this was a hit and miss situation. Michael: I have never had to assist students thinking about suicide, but I have tried to listen to other students who have had problems at work or at home, which has made their learning difficult and offered them the most opportunity I

Michael Rudd possibly can to assist them in their learning. What did you think of the ASIST and what did you learn from the training? Shane: Post attending the ASIST workshop, I feel confident in now asking the question ‘suicide’ whilst supporting a student in the mental health space. Asking the question may save a life by aligning the student with professional support mechanisms that otherwise would not be connected. Similarly, we complete Risk Assessments every day of our lives in the workplace; spending the required time to summarise a safety plan for a student/person at risk may connect all the voids the student is facing at that point in their life. Michael: I learnt how to intervene with those thinking about suicide and learnt the importance of empathy and listening and letting the person feel listened to. The training highlighted most people thinking about suicide probably would not suicide if they had someone they could talk to about their problems and feel heard. It also made me realise that taking the time to make someone feel heard during the class might help them more than you could imagine. What was the main take home message for you from this training workshop? Shane: Don’t be afraid to ask the question of suicidal thoughts. Mental Health is not a sign of weakness, and it can affect males, regardless of age, race or ethnicity. Suffering in silence isn’t a safe or healthy option for anyone in our lives. Check in with them and ask them how they’re feeling, especially if they have experienced a recent event that could trigger thoughts of despair. Michael: Suicide should not be a taboo topic, and nearly everyone thinks about suicide at some point, even if they know they choose not to act upon it. It is okay to talk about it, and it is okay to ask someone if you are worried about them. How prepared do you feel to talk directly and openly to a person about their thoughts of suicide? Shane: Post ASIST, I feel con!dent that I could provide effective suicide intervention to a person at risk in ways that would meet their individual safety needs. Michael: I feel much more comfortable talking about suicide after completing the training. I

also feel comfortable talking to friends, family and students about the training, and it’s interesting. It is okay to talk about it even though sometimes it might feel uncomfortable. Do you think the Suicide Prevention Gatekeepers Training workshops should be rolled out to all apprentices and TAFE NSW teachers as part of a curriculum? Shane: Many males won’t admit they have a mental illness or a problem. They still believe today that mental health is a significant sign of weakness. Whilst programs such as SafeTALK reduce the stigma and expand opportunities for support mechanisms, males still are experiencing shame and guilt that could lead to them being less willing to ask for help. For this reason, I believe this training should be funded by the government and made available to all enrolled apprentices state-wide within TAFE NSW, as we as a community have a long way to go. Michael: I think the training would help teachers in TAFE NSW. Some teachers in our training session were not exactly open to the topic and had some alternative views on the matter, but after the two days and completing the training, they had a change of perspective and thought they had benefitted from the training. In your opinion, do you think the State and Commonwealth Governments are doing enough to address mental health and tackle suicide issues? Shane: I believe much more is needed to address mental health and suicide, with awareness workshops to commence during secondary school level. Breaking down the stigma related to mental illness and suicide at this age would be a great start to give confidence in the student’s voice to speak up to their superiors and seek the available professional services. Michael: I do not know enough about Commonwealth and State Government initiatives to give an insightful comment; however, I know that NSW Health local districts are trying to roll out these programs through the NSW Department of Education. I think it is an excellent start. Targeting teachers and the youth with this sort of training will help to lead to generational change concerning suicide and societal views towards suicide for the better. Issue Two | April-June 2022 | MBA NSW