TOP TIPS FOR SUPPORTING TRADIES’ MENTAL HEALTH
The tradie culture on worksites has often shied away from showing emotions, shedding tears or discussing mental health. Long hours, gruelling physical tasks and relentless weather conditions can wear workers down, often leaving tradies feeling drained, disconnected from loved ones and caught in a work-life imbalance. Ignoring these issues can manifest in destructive ways, including substance abuse and other unhealthy escapes. The stakes are high when mental health goes unaddressed. Dan Pollard, a veteran tradie and founder of Fergus, offers seven tips to support tradies’ mental health.
1. Speak up
3. Limit alcohol and substance use Alcohol in moderation is key and a clear mind is better than a foggy buzz. Try swapping out a beer for a book or a movie night with friends or family. If it is proving to be a struggle to steer away from alcohol in a social setting, try a zero-alcohol option.
According to Mates in Construction, construction workers are six times more likely to die from suicide than an accident at work.1 It is important not to bottle things up, and reach out when experiencing problems. This might include chatting with a mate during a break, or calling a helpline like Lifeline or Mates in Construction.
4. Take a break
2. Keep an eye out for mates
5. Get physical and eat right
Safety is teamwork, and so is mental wellbeing. If a workmate is struggling, their colleagues should not turn a blind eye. Asking a simple “You all right?” can be the first step in making a big difference.
After a long day, the last thing many people want to do is exercise. But physical activity releases endorphins, the body’s natural mood-lifters. Even a simple 30-minute walk after work can help clear the head.
14 SAFETY SOLUTIONS - NOVEMBER 2023
People often think pushing through the pain is the answer, but this is a quick ticket to burnout city. Everybody needs a breather, whether it’s a weekend off or even a longer break, and stepping away gives the mind a chance to reset.
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