Mel chats with Matt from Mates in Construction.

"IF YOU NEED TO TALK OR NEED HELP, PLEASE RING OUR 24/7 SUPPORT LINE 1300 642 111. We have case managers, field staff available to speak with you, catch up, and connect you to sources of help and assistance. MATES are Stronger Together in Tough Times."

The MATES program is an integrated program of training and support – one without the other is insufficient. To only do training without pathways to support is potentially dangerous and to only do support without raising awareness is to simply be another Employee Assistance program. The MATES program uses training as tool to raise awareness that there is a problem with suicide and its contributing risk factors in our industry and we can all be part of the solution. The support is then provided through clear pathways to help, case management processes that ensure that workers in need of support are connected to appropriate help, and on site visits by field officers to support the site and its workers in an ongoing presence until the site closes.