Mates in Manufacturing is a new suicide prevention program aimed at supporting the mental health of workers in the manufacturing industry.

Suicide affects us all. The suicide of a friend, family member or workmate can be devastating across the whole community and particularly at work. More than 3,000 Australians die from suicide each year; of these 75% are men. It’s a leading cause of death for people in the 25-39 age group.

The pandemic has brought mental health issues into the forefront. Despite the devastating number of workers infected with COVID-19 in workplaces, Safe Work Australia has reported that nearly one in every five COVID-related workers’ compensation claims were generated on mental health grounds. In manufacturing, with many predominantly male or multicultural workers, there have been barriers to discussing mental health as openly as possible.

Mates in Manufacturing has been set up to remedy the challenges of suicide ideation and mental health more generally. Bringing together employers and unions and drawing on the expertise of the Mates organisation, Mates in Manufacturing will deliver critical workplace training, building a peer-based program within workplaces and developing knowledge within the industry to address these problems. Funding has been secured from both the NSW and Federal Governments for research by Western Sydney, Deakin and Melbourne Universities, to ensure the programs are fit for purpose.

Undertaken as a partnership between employers and unions in the sector, Mates in Manufacturing started its rollout in November ahead of its official launch on 10 December.

Members of the steering committee overseeing the project come from manufacturing industry leaders like Downer Group, OPAL, UGL, Stramit and Thales. They are joined by the Australian Industry Group, with workers represented by the Australian Manufacturing Workers’ Union (AMWU), the Australian Workers’ Union (AWU) and the United Workers’ Union UWU. The partners recognise that suicide prevention and improving mental health support transcends traditional workplace issues and that by working together we stand a better chance of making positive change.

If you and your company operate within the manufacturing industry and want to get serious about confronting suicide and mental health challenges, as part of an evidence-based industry partnership through this workplace program, the Mates in Manufacturing program would welcome your involvement as part of this process.

To start a conversation, contact Dave Henry at matesinmanufacturing@gmail.com