Making Suicide Everyone's Business by Omesh Jethwani

CHANGING THE STATISTICS

WORKPLACE, HEALTH & SAFETY

MAKING SUICIDE PREVENTION EVERYONEâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S BUSINESS OMESH JETHWANI, GOVERNMENT PROJECTS & PROGRAMS MANAGER

Issue Four | October-December 2020 | MBA NSW

WORKPLACE, HEALTH & SAFETY

CHANGING THE STATISTICS

MAKING SUICIDE PREVENTION EVERYONE’S BUSINESS OMESH JETHWANI, GOVERNMENT PROJECTS & PROGRAMS MANAGER

ver 10 million Australian adults are estimated to know someone who has died by suicide. Every second person is 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. These statistics, based on 2019 data, was released by the Australian Bureau of Statistics on 23 October 2020. • 3,318 Australians died by suicide in 2019, which is 12.9 deaths per 100,000 people. • 6% increase compared with the 3,138 suicide deaths reported in 2018. • 9.1 deaths per day compared to 8.6 deaths per day in recent years. • Suicide was the 13th most common cause of death • Suicide was the leading cause of death among people aged 15-49 Younger Australians • As with 2018, suicide was the most common cause of death for young people aged 15-24 years. Suicide was also the most common cause of death for adults aged 25-44. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples • In 2019 195 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples died by suicide.

• The rate of deaths by suicide amongst Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples over the past five years was 24.6 per 100,000 – compared to a rate of 12.5 for non-Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. • Suicide is the fifth leading cause of death for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. Males • Males accounted for 75.4% of deaths by suicide (2,502 deaths), while females accounted d for 24.6% (816 deaths). • Consistent with previous years, males are around three times more likely to die by suicide than females. • The highest rate for males in 2019 was observed in those aged 85 years and older (32.3 deaths per 100,000 males)

Other statistics • 65,000 suicide attempts each year (est.) • Each year, around 100,000 Australians attempt suicide, and it is estimated that more than 500,000 Australians have attempted suicide at some time in their life. Understating Mental Health and Suicide In The Building and Construction Industry Knowledge about mental health in the Australian Building and Construction an Industry has been In steadily improving st – interestingly, more significantly in small si bu business awareness and regionally. an Th There have been relatively few systematic re and an evaluated programs to address mental health and suicide he in the Building and Co Construction Industry. In response to this, th the Building and Co Construction Industry ha has stepped forward, an and developed programs

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MBA NSW | Issue Four | October-December 2020

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CHANGING THE STATISTICS WORKPLACE, HEALTH & SAFETY

Issue Four | October-December 2020 | MBA NSW

WORKPLACE, HEALTH & SAFETY

CHANGING THE STATISTICS

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MBA NSW | Issue Four | October-December 2020

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CHANGING THE STATISTICS WORKPLACE, HEALTH & SAFETY

and support mechanisms that are genuinely innovative and see the industry positioned at the forefront internationally of work to address suicide and mental health through the workplace. Helping Shape The Culture Of The Construction Industry – For The Better Through Suicide Prevention Gatekeepers Training By building a network of appropriately trained suicide prevention gatekeepers in the Building and Construction Industry, we can strengthen our local safety net. Mental health and suicide prevention are everyone’s business, and when all of us look out for our mates, we are protecting the essential commodity in our industry, it’s people. Importance For Master Builders To Roll Out Suicide Prevention Gatekeepers Training Across The Construction Industry For workers in the Building and Construction industry, suicide seems to be a part of the reality of working in the industry. Work within 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. NSW Building and Construction industry

recognise that it experiences significantly higher rates of suicide and mental health issues amongst our workers when compared to other sectors.

Master Builders NSW received an overwhelming response from members and their employees residing in the Sydney metropolitan area and regional areas.

There are over one million (1,190,700) construction workers in Australia. Construction workers are six times more likely to die by suicide than through a workplace accident. Apprentices in construction aged between 15 and 24 were ten times more likely to suicide than other young people their age.

Master Builders NSW aims to deliver Connector (safeTALK) as a robust and evidence-based content. The training program focuses upon educating young people, youth mentors and adults working with young people about suicide, challenging attitudes, and teaching the fundamentals of proper engagement and suicide intervention skills.

Improving mental health is an essential part of making sure that skills obtained by construction workers in New South Wales are retained in the industry and used as efficiently as possible. We need to ensure the Building and Construction Industry represents a sustainable and safe workplace which attracts and keeps workers on their career pathways. Master Builders NSW, in partnership with the NSW Ministry of Health and Mates in Construction NSW, aims to target approximately 3,000 participants. These participants will represent as Master Builders NSW trained gatekeepers for the NSW Building and Construction Industry. Stepping Forward In Construction To Receive Training As Suicide Prevention Gatekeepers

Empowering apprentices as a community and worksite gatekeepers is an effective way of promoting mental health, resilience, and helpseeking amongst young people. The course empowers apprentices with the skills they need to recognise and help with mental health problems and crises in their friends, and to get the help of an appropriately trained adult quickly. Research shows us that young people often turn to each other in times of stress and upset. Friends often attempt to support each other in ways that mean they try to take a lot on. The structured, evidence-based program teaches them not to seek to take on these problems alone, and when they should get a trained adult involved.

Issue Four | October-December 2020 | MBA NSW

CHANGING THE STATISTICS WORKPLACE, HEALTH & SAFETY

The program will teach them not only to look after themselves but be able to identify the warning signs of suicide and how to handle suicidal situations.

either well prepared or mostly prepared to talk directly and openly to a person about their thoughts of suicide; • 95% of participants said that they were either well prepared or mostly prepared to help someone at risk. and

Knowing the signs of suicide allows young people to serve as a potential lifesaver not only on construction worksites but also anywhere and in many situations in their lives. Master Builders NSW Is An Avid Supporter Of Suicide Prevention Gatekeepers Training We recognise though that more needs to be done to ensure that the whole industry aligns to the goals of reducing the tragically high rates of suicide and delivering better mental health outcomes for all in the industry. Gatekeepers training has shown to positively affect the knowledge, skills, and attitudes of individuals regarding suicide prevention. Gatekeepers training is successful at imparting knowledge, building skills, and moulding the perspectives of individuals. Cohort studies have reported promising results with a significant reduction in suicidal ideation, suicide attempts, and deaths by suicide.

• 95% of participants said that they were either very confident or mostly confident to help someone at risk of suicide

Response From Participants Having Completed The Suicide Prevention Gatekeepers Training To date, Master Builders NSW has trained four hundred and seventy (470) participants from a variety of backgrounds and experience. Our trained participants are domiciled in a broad range of geographical locations, i.e. Sydney Metropolitan, Central Coast, Newcastle and Port Macquarie. • 50% of the participants trained were trade apprentices; • 99% of participants intend to tell others that they will benefit from gatekeepers training; • 90% of participants said that they were

The Suicide Prevention Gatekeepers Training sessions will recommence in 2022 at Master Builders Head Office, Forest Lodge, other Master Builders NSW regional offices and various TAFE NSW campuses. The Suicide Prevention Gatekeepers Training session is also deliverable at Master Builders members preferred worksites (minimum of 10 participants). The cost of attending a safeTALK workshop is FREE as the NSW Ministry of Health fully funds it. Licensed builders and swimming pool license builders will receive 4 CPD points. For further enquiries, contact Omesh Jethwani, Government Projects & Programs Manager on 02 8586 3539.

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