MIRIAM CORBAN’S MATES RECOGNISED

Ryman Healthcare’s Miriam Corban village has become the company’s second construction site to be awarded Mates in Construction accreditation.

The team have now joined the Murray Halberg construction team in being recognised for placing good mental health and wellbeing amongst its workers as a top priority.

Awarding the team their plaque, Mates’ Field Officer James Sendall said it was a testament to the hard work everyone had done on the Auckland site to reach that point.

“There’s a great bunch of amazing people, with cohesiveness, and a culture of making values, strength and support part of the site.

“I walk away today feeling comfortable that if anything should occur it’s in great hands.”

Mates in Construction is a preventative programme which originated in Australia in 2008 which is aimed at reducing the high numbers of suicides in the construction industry.

With the NZ construction sector losing roughly one person a week to suicide, the programme resonated strongly with the industry here after launching in 2019.

As one of New Zealand’s largest construction companies, Ryman Healthcare partnered with the notfor-profit organisation the following year in a bid to raise awareness around suicide prevention and to encourage people to check in on their fellow workers.

The pandemic had compounded the various stressors that affected the male-dominated construction industry, with supply and labour shortages adding to the pressures.

Young men aged 20-24 were typically the most at risk, James said.

The Mates training aims at placing one connector per 20 workers on site to be available to help connect the person in need of support with appropriate help.

Miriam Corban Health and Safety Coordinator Justin De Vrije, a Mates connector himself, said breaking down the image of being the ‘tough-faced big burly guy in boots’ was key.

The training gave insight into spotting the ‘invitations’ that those struggling may give off, such as changes in body language, demeanour or behaviour.

“It helps you understand the stuff you look at that you would normally miss,” Justin said.

Project Manager Joe Won was proud of the team’s achievement: “Receiving this plaque is testament to how committed the team is to step up and go the extra mile for their teammates and find ways to help them.”